Menu
Worthington Town Council gets unexpected offer of help from RWF
The Worthington Town Council met Tuesday evening and, after regular business was conducted, were addressed by Brian Romans of the Romans Warrior Foundation. Romans attended Tuesday’s meeting in support of the Worthington Police Department. Due to recent incidents involving the town police car, the latest of which occurred March 30, have resulted in the department facing a severe shortage of police vehicles. During the meeting, Worthington Police Chief Randy Raney appealed to the council, asking permission to consider the purchase of a decommissioned used police vehicle from the town of Spencer.
Raney explained the department will receive an insurance payment of $3,000 for the March 30 damage to the town’s patrol car, which was hit during the chase and apprehension of a suspect attempting to flee arrest by Worthington Officer Russell Walls. The vehicle was extensively damaged and Raney had been looking for a used vehicle to replace the damaged car while it underwent repairs ever since.
Raney said the Spencer Police Department has two cruisers for sale and said he would like the town to consider the purchase of one, a 2010 Dodge Charger with 50,000 miles offered for $8,500 by the Spencer Police Department.
The vehicle is fully equipped, less radio, with a full cage, spotlight, emergency lights, shotgun and rifle rack and a pull tray in the trunk. Council members approved the purchase pending a test drive by Chief Raney.
“Go test the car out, Randy,” said Council President Mackey Stahl. “If it’s the car you guys need, come see (Clerk-Treasurer) Gloria and she’ll write you a check.” Raney smiled as he said, “Thanks, Gloria,” bringing a smile to council members and guests. The Spencer PD has a second car available, a 2009 Dodge Charger with 218,000 miles, also fully equipped.
Romans, whose annual Veteran Suicide/PTSD awareness-raising walks bring he and his group through the town of Worthington, told the Council his nonprofit organization exists to help veterans, police, fire and first responders.
“These are my brothers,” he said. “I would like to ask the Council for permission to start a crowdfunding effort on behalf of the Worthington Police Department to raise money for them to buy the second car.” The council, along with everyone present at the meeting, erupted in applause before granting Romans permission to proceed. Romans, who set up the fundraising account in the days to come, said he was happy to help.
In other business:
• The council heard from Street Superintendent David Dyer, who said the department is looking for a good, cheap push mower to use when it isn’t feasible to use a riding mower. Residents who may know of an available mower may contact the Street Department to let them know.
• Board President Mackey Stahl said the report from the State Board of Accounts has been received. The report will be available for review at the Clerk/Treasurer’s office.
• Stahl said will begin taking bids for the stormwater project in about a month, at the end of May. Interested bidders will have two weeks to submit a bid.
• Council member Tom Franklin was re-appointed to the Worthington Fire Territory Board, a vote retroactive to July 2017. Franklin finished out a previous board member’s term when he joined the board, and his re-appointment had been overlooked last year. Franklin will serve a four-year term.
• Worthington Police Chief Randy Raney reported, in the month since the council last met, two OVWI’s, five possession of methamphetamine, three possession of marijuana, one hit and run, five arrest warrants served and 31 traffic citations.
The next meeting of the Worthington Town Council will take place at Worthington Town Hall on Tuesday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m.