Lorentz swears in interim Belpre police chief
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BELPRE -- Following the retirement of its former police chief, a new interim chief was named and sworn in Monday during the Belpre City Council meeting.
Mayor Michael Lorentz swore in Sgt. Michael Stump as the interim chief to replace Terry Williams who retired Sept. 15.
Stump is a Wood County native who attended Valley Christian Academy in Belpre, graduating in 1995, its final year. He and his family have lived in Ohio for years.
Stump is currently serving as a sergeant with the Belpre Police Department. He has been with the BPD for 15 years. He previously worked as a corrections officer with the Wood County Sheriff's Office and also spent nine years with the West Virginia Army Air National Guard. He also worked in security with the Bureau of Public Debt.
Lorentz said Stump and the department's other sergeants have been running the police department in the interim. A permanent replacement will be named following the completion of a civil service test, a process that could take up to 60 days.
"I truly appreciate Sgt. Stump for stepping up. He will agree that we are blessed as there was no bad choice for this assignment," Lorentz said.
Lorentz said the city's Civil Service Commission is very busy. As of last week, it had 11 candidates for the positions in dispatch. As soon as the chief's test is complete, the city will need to go straight into testing for sergeant and patrol positions, he said.
With the loss of two dispatchers, the union and administration wanted to enter into a memorandum of understanding stating the city will allow a fully qualified new hire the ability to bring forth vacation earned elsewhere.
"This has been done before but does need approval. This allows us to offer employment to a person already trained and working for us part-time," he said.
Council approved the action on a 6-1 vote.
In other business, council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance updating the city's codified ordinances. Two further readings are scheduled for future council meetings.
Council approved the first reading of a resolution on supplemental appropriations by a 4-3 vote. Two further readings are scheduled for future council meetings.
The Marietta-Belpre Health Board will hold a Flu Shot clinic at the Bingo Hall from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 15. Lorentz said a good response would help make sure such events continue.
Lorentz said he received news of a $25,000 appropriation to be used for Civitan Park. After research and looking at the facility, the city has decided on making the pond handicapped accessible. As the project gets closer, he will keep council updated.
A National Drive Electric Week event will be 1-4 p.m. Sunday at Civitan Park in Belpre. Visitors will be able to test drive electric vehicles and talk to current EV owners and clean transportation industry leaders.
The Finance Committee will meet at 7 p.m. prior to the next council meeting on Oct. 10.
Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com