Thursday, March 16, 2000
Town's burden: A ton of troubles
But Waynesville residents say ambience intact
BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Shoppers stroll on Main Street in the Antiques Capital of the Midwest.
(Michael Snyder photo)
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WAYNESVILLE — It's not supposed to be this stressful in Small Town, U.S.A. The national debate over racial profiling has surfaced here. An important local benefactor, the American Legion, was shut down in a racketeering investigation. Even a well-known local man who portrays Ebenezer Scrooge each holiday was in criminal court.
These are unusual occurrences in the self-proclaimed Antiques Capital of the Midwest, home of the popular annual Sauerkraut Festival and a quaint outpost of positive stories, good times and happy endings.
So what's going on in Waynesville's world?
“There's some animosity over the Legion” and other things, said Bo Bradley, owner of B&B Carryout. But he added confidently: “I've been around here all my life, and I've seen upheavals come and go. This will all blow over.”
On Main Street, shoppers strolled leisurely from shop to shop, oblivious to the town's tensions.
“I don't really care about small-town politics,” said Cindy Reynolds, 42, of Troy. “I came down here to look for antiques. A little commotion isn't going to change that for me.”
Bill Stubbs, owner of the Little Red Shed antiques shop, said the run of events is coincidental.
“Despite these isolated incidents — and they're all isolat ed incidents — Waynesville is still a tranquil place,” said Mr. Stubbs. “Business goes on as usual. Shoppers keep coming into town. None of this has affected the town's ambience, its way of life.”
The NAACP has come to town, investigating allegations of racial profiling by the police department. The mayor — one of three black adults in the village of about 2,500 people — is feuding with the police chief. He called for the chief's ouster. Two councilmen asked the mayor to resign.
In early March, Mayor Charles Sanders accused Police Chief Allen Carter of allowing racial profiling. The mayor's charge came after three black men, none residents of Waynesville, claimed that they were stopped by two village police officers for alleged traffic violations, held at gunpoint and handcuffed.
Officers searched the vehicle for drugs but did not cite or
arrest the three men. Now they are threatening to file a civil-rights suit against the police department. Village officials deny the mayor's allegations.
On Main Street, many people don't want to discuss the subject. They feel betrayed by the mayor and accuse him of trying to promote himself as he seeks election to Congress in November against Republican Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park.
In a hot meeting held March 6, about 200 residents took sides with either police or the mayor. Mr. Sanders rejected calls for his resignation. Council passed an ordinance prohibiting village police from using race to decide whether a driver should be stopped.
Since then, the mayor and his foes have been in an uneasy cease-fire in the war of words, pending results of a Warren County sheriff's investigation of the incident.
Meanwhile, for the second time in less than two years, American Legion Post 615, a generous community donor, has been under investigation for gambling and illegal liquor sales in this “dry” community.
In a raid last October, state liquor agents confiscated five video poker machines; tip tickets; a computer and printer; two cash registers; an assortment of beer, liquor and wine; financial records; and $2,647 in proceeds from the gambling machines.
Next month, Gary Van Nuys, the post commander, and adjutant Paul Trimble face up to six months in jail and $1,000 fines each when they are sentenced on misdemeanor gambling charges in Warren County Common Pleas Court. The post faces a $7,500 fine.
Liquor agents froze the legion's bank accounts, including $200,000 in certificates of deposit. The confiscation means the Legion won't make the final $62,000 installment of an original $120,000 pledge toward the high school's new football stadium.
“Say what you want about it, but the American Legion has helped many groups in town with activities and projects,” said Mr. Stubbs. “Legion members have helped the schools especially. They helped pay for the stadium. All this is very unfortunate for everyone.”
The legion's lost payment won't affect the stadium because it's already built, Superintendent Tom Issacs said.
The latest problems play out against a backdrop of concerns over the growth rolling across communities between Cincinnati and Dayton.
People are moving to Waynesville for its quieter lifestyle and slower pace.
But their arrival signals change. In 1990, the population was 1,949. Since 1995, the number has increased from 2,382 to more than 2,500.
Some people say the town's growth is causing the tension. But Mr. Bradley said it's more likely caused by the times. Quite simply, they have changed.
“We know the American Legion post will not be what it once was, and most people have accepted that fact,” he said. “The Legion was a big part of this community for so long. But I know that Waynesville will survive.”
The same day Legion leaders were in court last week, former Councilman Patrick Irelan, 71, was there too, for allegedly slapping the leader of the charter review committee. Supporters said Mr. Irelan was only messing up Brent Morgan's hair.
Nonetheless, to calm potential fears of parents, Mr. Irelan has resigned as a volunteer school crossing guard until he is tried April 4 in Warren County Court.
No word on the disposition of Mr. Scrooge, whom Mr. Irelan portrays during the holidays.
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