Krutsch-Martin Row Escalates

A Defiance councilman’s ethics may be in doubt over a controversial alley vacation issue that city voters may decide this fall. The matter was raised during the city council meeting. Dave Martin, chairman of St. John Lutheran Church, questioned at-large Councilwoman, Jill Krutsch’s actions during the winter, when two alley vacations were approved by council. The vacation, has been put on hold due to a citizens referendum that seeks to defeat the ordinance council passed earlier this year. Krutsch had asked council to approve a motion compelling law director David Williams to author an opinion on whether city administrator Jeff Leonard exceeded his authority in closing the alleys for safety reasons…council turned down Krutsch’s motion. Martin requested, and received, Krutsch’s public emails and found that she was “being advised” by former Councilman Steve Hubbard, Tim Holtsberry and Joe Eureste.