Thursday, November 04, 1999
New mayor out to boost police morale
BY WALT SCHAEFER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — Mayor-elect Joe Harper vowed Wednesday to change the image of the town by first improving morale in the safety services.
“We need to return morale and respect to the police department. One councilman, (Roland M. Heyne Jr.), has publicly ... and repeatedly ... criticized the department for being corrupt and dirty. There has been a lot of turnover in the police department because of that. We have practically all new officers,” Mr. Harper said.
Mr. Harper defeated Mr. Heyne on Tuesday, winning with 234 votes (81 percent), to Mr. Heyne's 55 (19 percent) in the village of about 1,200.
“Our police department is not corrupt. (Mr. Heyne) has a personal agenda. He just does not like the police department,” Mr. Harper said.
Mr. Heyne said Wednesday he would borrow “a most fitting” quote from President Kennedy to sum up his feelings: “"The people get no better government than they deserve.' I believe they deserve what they get with Joe Harper.”
Chief Chuck Huff welcomed Mr. Harper's goal of improving police morale. Mr. Harper was a village police officer for 18 years, and, after suffering an on-duty leg injury, retired in February on partial disability.
“We have lost most of our officers because of Roland Heyne's constant criticism of the department,” Chief Huff said. “I think the voters have sent Mr. Heyne a significant message and I'm glad to see support from our new mayor.”
Mr. Harper, a lifelong village resident, said he intends to also address manpower shortages, morale issues and other issues in the fire and emergency medical service squads. Mr. Harper was a volunteer firefighter here for 17 years.
He also wants to improve the appearance of Village Hall.
"'I cannot do this alone. I'm am going to need help from five other council members and I will try to work with all of council to the best of my ability, including the sixth member (Mr. Heyne). I'm going to make the effort to try,” he said.
Mr. Heyne has two more years to serve in his four-year council term.
Mr. Harper said one of his concerns involves police salaries that rank among the lowest in the area. Base hourly pay for patrol officers is $12.21 an hour. The sergeant earns $12.32 an hour, and the lieutenant, $12.51. The lieutenant and sergeant are both on medical leave.
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