By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
CONNEAUT — The president of Conneaut’s service employees’ union is disputing an administrator’s claim that a member did not cooperate with a police investigation.
In a press release, Michael Dalrymple, president of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2182, said he is unaware of any union member who balked at assisting police in their probe into alleged misuse of city-owned asphalt grindings.
Dalrymple was referring to remarks made by Public Safety Director Jon Arcaro at Monday’s City Council work session. At the meeting, Arcaro said he understood that some employees resisted talking to police on the matter.
Failure to cooperate would be a violation of city policy, the employee would be subject to discipline and the union would become involved, Dalrymple said. To date, the union has not been informed of any such action, he said.
On Friday, Arcaro said he was told by his officers that one worker avoided talking to police, but added no one can be compelled to speak. Arcaro also said he will have no further comment on anything related to the grindings case.
The case revolved around the spreading of city-owned asphalt bits on gas well access roads built inside the East Conneaut Industrial Park by a private contractor. An unknown quantity of the grindings were spread atop the road using city equipment and personnel.
Administrators defended the action, saying the city plans to use the fortified roads in the future. Critics said the grindings have cash value and shouldn’t be used to assist a private business.
At the very least, the grits could be spread on city roads, critics said.
