Carey residents wonder about investigation, new police chief

CAREY— The Carey village council met for its first 2025 organizational meeting Monday. Carey resident Bill Conley still wondered about the recent investigation into whether councilmen Evaristo Hernandez and Chad Kin overstepped their legislative roles, costing the village approximately $5,000 in tax-payer money and subsequent reports saying there was overreach. At a December 2024 council meeting, village solicitor Jim Gucker told council about the findings but said there was nothing that would indicate any disciplinary action was needed. "Why did we invest $5,000 to have an investigation done if we chose not to take any action provided the results were what they were… Why did we waste tax-payer dollars to have an investigation?" Conley asked. He later asked about the ongoing search to find a new Carey Police chief after the resignation of Chief Ryan Doe has left the village without a chief for over a month. Mayor Kin refused to respond to Conley's question about the investigation but did say interviews for a new chief had concluded and an emergency meeting to appoint a new chief was likely. Gucker commented on the investigation saying that it was difficult to discipline council members. "Council decided to have an attorney review the actions of council members to see if there were any violations of law or improper activities… they didn't make any recommendations as to any discipline," Gucker said. Councilman Derek Puchta told council that the attorney was not asked to make disciplinary recommendations. Gucker later said that it is not up to council to remove a council member and the public could file a complaint with the Wyandot County Court of Common Pleas if needed. Another resident told council that the failure to discipline accused council members was setting a precedent for future incidents in the village. In other news, attorney Jim Fruth spoke to council on behalf of his client who had obtained a building permit and had started construction of a building on West Findlay Street in Carey but was later issued a stop order due to lack of compliance, but the stop order had cost the client $10,000 in weather damage. Village Administrator Mike Roszman advised Fruth that further discussions would be needed but he was willing to get the issue figured out. Council later appointed Tyler Bame as council president with Derek Puchta and Ted Reinhart both declining nominations. It also voted to donate $2,500 to the ROX program at Carey High School after hearing from Carey student Ava Gibson about the benefits of the program for fellow students at a December meeting. Councilmember Stephanie Wade also spoke with council about a $13,000 quote she had received for new village Christmas decorations. Kin advised the council had appropriated approximately $30,000 for the beautification committee to buy new decorations. Council member Ted Reinhart asked council about the possibility of live-streaming council meetings but Kin brought up safety concerns. Council then went into executive session to discuss personnel. No action was taken. An emergency meeting to appoint a new police chief is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today (Jan. 8) at 127 N. Vance St. The next regular council meeting is 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Carey Fire Station.