Sheriff: We are investigating radio controversy

The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into the way the county has gone about securing a new emergency radio system for deputies and other emergency first responders, Sheriff Phil Stammitti announced Monday.

The matter has been an object of controversy since January and provoked heated reactions from two of the three elected Republican county commissioners on Monday.

Stammitti, a Democrat, announced in a news release that his office is probing the “methods and processes which have taken place as it relates to Lorain County’s efforts to secure a new radio system for first responders.”

Stammitti said Commissioner David Moore first called for an investigation

Amherst mayor: City in good standing

training and equipment in 2022, Costilow said.

in August 2021, as did a Chronicle-Telegram editorial from December 2021.

More recent requests have come from Commissioner Michelle Hung and the Lorain County Fire Chiefs Association, Stammitti wrote.

“Allegations of impropriety and backroom deals relating to this project have been made by various people and entities now for over 20 months which have been disrupting the op- erations of county government,” he wrote.

“The sheriff’s office has not looked into these allegations as we were under the belief that the matter was being looked at by other investigatory bodies. After receiving complaints directly asking our office to look into the matter we inquired and learned that no investigatory body was looking into this matter,” Stammitti wrote.

The sheriff’s office “has an obligation to look into these allegations as seekers of fact not only to ensure that no crimes have been committed but as a matter of public transparency” — transparency, he wrote, “which so many … local officials claim to want as well.”

“We hope to receive cooperation from all parties involved. If we do, we should be able to determine quickly if violations of law have (been) or are occur- ring,” he wrote. Stammitti said his office will have no further comment until the investigation is completed.

Moore slammed Stammitti’s announcement, saying he’s been “doing (Stammitti’s) job for 18 months.”

The sheriff’s investigation “lacks credibility,” he said.

For months, Moore and fellow Republican

AMHERST — Amherst remains in good financial standing, Mayor Mark Costilow reported April 24.

Costilow, now in his eighth year as mayor, delivered his State of the City address during Monday’s regular City Council meeting.

The city’s general fund remains in good standing, he said, carrying over $2 million into this year.

The general fund, funded primarily with the city’s tax revenue, supplies the bulk of funds for day-today expenses and projects within Amherst. Grants have helped offset needed to spend local tax dollars, Costilow said, including a $2 million reduction in street costs through public and private partnerships for 6 miles worth of roadwork set to start this summer.

Amherst police are also directly supported by the general fund and have taken steps to improve its efficiency, including investing in new technology and increasing manpower to now be fully staffed.

Amherst Police now have 24 full-time officers.

The department is also set to get body cameras this year, after receiving a $98,000 state grant to fund the purchase.

The department responded to more than 11,000 calls in 2022, Costilow said. Its fire department also stayed busy, responding to more than 500 fire calls and more than 800 firstresponder calls.

The Amherst Fire Department received more than $14,000 in grants for

Costilow expects residents will see a change in their utilities this year, as the water department budget could be left with little to no cash balance by the end of 2023 unless revenue is adjusted.

The city’s sewer and electrical funds are in better standing, though Costilow said City Council can expect to see an ordinance to set minimum fund balances to come to the floor this year — which may trigger rate adjustments to prevent a situation like the dwindling cash in the water fund.

For the city’s electric service, residents can expect more reliable service starting in 2024, as the city moves forward with a second point of entry into the city’s grid on the west side.

There are also continuous improvements underway for the city’s wastewater treatment, which has prevented more than 18 million gallons of partially treated water from overflowing into Beaver Creek.

Work also continues on an EPA-ordered flow study by CT Consultants, he said.

Looking toward the rapidly approaching summer — and the opening of the pool at Maude Neiding Park — Costilow said the city’s park board is discussing its options if it lacks full lifeguard staffing, including possibly limiting pool hours.