In Your Opinion: Public Safety Director Is Best Course Of Action

By Mayor Phil Kramer.

The turnover of leadership in the police force in the last 3 years has left us understaffed in command positions.  The first step to fill that void was to invite the County Prosecutor to assist us by administrating the Franklin Township Police Department. To that end, the Prosecutor assigned County Chief of Detectives Fodor. While Chief Fodor is doing his job, the next step, from the Township Council’s point of view, is to return to a Township-based police administration. I have great respect for Chief Fodor and his team and I’m thankful they accepted our invitation for assistance but, and I hope they take this in the way it is intended, I want them to be able to leave as soon as possible. That is in Franklin’s best interest. I believe the quickest responsible way to do that is to prepare to hire a Public Safety Director.

The Mayor and Council are often in the position of not being able to speak our minds because, for instance, there is a personnel issue or there is an ongoing investigation. Sometimes we are not even at liberty to say we are not allowed to speak. Painfully, good leadership requires us to remain silent at times while less responsible people use the situation for political advantage regardless of the negative effect it may have on the town. My only goal has been, and always will be, what is best for this town and I’ll not let political or personal gain rule my decisions. I call on others to do the same.