Edon Village Council passes budget but cuts police department funds

Despite a plea from Police Chief Tom Szymczak, Edon Village Council in a special session Wednesday passed a $1.4 million budget that includes a $33,000 cut to the police department. Szymczak had requested council not cut his budget so that he could maintain one or more part-time officers. He said cutting his part-time staff was “crippling” to the department and suggested a 50 percent “compromise” from the cuts. Szymczak said he and the other member of the department, full-time patrolman Scott Wilson, have been working 12-hour shifts and alternate weekends, and said part-time officers were needed to cover some holidays when he and Wilson have sick time or vacation. He also noted he was not asking for new equipment or vehicles, and had returned money he had saved in his budget to the general fund in past years.