Council, public keep quiet on incident with police chief
The mouse that roared fell curiously silent Monday as North Irwin Borough Council approved all agenda items by unanimous vote.
The unusual circumstance for a board used to conflict, outbursts, finger-pointing and political posturing played before a packed, standing-room-only crowd.
All the public attention might have been too intimidating for some members of the audience and several board members, who chose to remain silent and not bring up a topic that has residents of the tiny borough talking.
Resident Chris Ostrom, son of Councilman Mel Ostrom, sent Mayor Leonard Santimyer a letter demanding a closer look at the situation involving him and the officer.
The letter, according to Santimyer, accuses the officer of provoking a standoff and acting inappropriately.
According to Henderson, he noticed a man on the sidewalk peaking from around the corner of the firehall on the evening of Feb. 16. When he went to investigate, a confrontation ensued. Henderson learned the man was the son of a councilman. No arrest was made and no charges were filed. Because the man had been drinking in the firehall, a member of the fire department drove him and his wife home, Henderson said.
Six witnesses accused Chris Ostrom of being intoxicated and said they thought Henderson was correct in all his actions, said Santimyer. Feeling there was no basis for further action, and none asked for in the letter, Santimyer did not bring it up at the council meeting.
The letter said three councilmen were already contacted -- Ostrom, Bernard Reynolds and Edwin Anthony. Santimyer notified the remaining members and made them aware of the situation.
At Monday night's meeting, Councilman Gordon Stoves began to bring up the subject twice during "The Good of the Borough" but stopped. He later said he wanted to get through the meeting without controversy.
As far as Santimyer is concerned, the matter is over.
Lines were drawn, however, in the meeting room. A delegation of North Irwin firefighters stood along one wall. Two women, who had signed in to speak during the public comment section of the meeting, withdrew their requests, saying they would wait until next month.
One of the women was Paulette Ostrom, mother of Chris Ostrom.
Tom Harrison, North Irwin fire chief, said he was there to support Henderson if need be. He said he has lived in the borough for 43 years and never has felt as safe as he does with the modern police presence.
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It is unfortionate that one resident's drunken escapades have brought such controversy to our small town. Instead of admitting wrong doing, Mr. Ostrom instead feels the need to persecute and compromise the reputation of a man who cares about this community and was doing the job he was hired to do -- protecting the citizens of our borough.
Chief Henderson has brought a sense of security back into a town that rapidly declined in the short time there was no police presence. He has gone out of his way to befriend the residents and make a good name for himself and our town, only to be knocked down by phrases like "incident with police chief" and "requesting investigation." There was a reason no one spoke against him at the council meeting. One person's complaint won't stand up to the unilateral respect and support that he would have recieved in contrast.
Keep up the good work, Pete!
I agree that it was unfortunate that the "incident" had to go public, but maybe it will get other residents involved in supporting Chief Henderson and making sure his detractors know they can not intimidate him in the council room, firehall or streets of the borough. He is a man of character, I believe, and will continue to keep North Irwin secure. There was no reason to spread lies about him in the community and the county.