Merrillville Town Council President Rick Bella called domestic battery and other charges filed against 1st Ward Councilman Donald Spann a personal matter and allegations only at this point when questioned Tuesday about what will happen with the ward for now.
“What will we do with the 1st Ward,” asked Andrew Sylwestrowicz, a resident and former councilman for the ward. “It’s a big problem.”
Sylwestrowicz said taking care of the ward would be a burden for other council members, who have their own wards to cover.
Bella said the council is aware of the criminal charges lodged against Spann, but added they are just allegations at this point.
“It’s a private matter between Mr. Spann and his family,” said Bella, who said the council has no further comment.
Spann was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.
Spann, 69, also was charged with resisting law enforcement, battery by bodily waste, interference with reporting of a crime and disorderly conduct in connection with a domestic disturbance that allegedly took place at his house on Oct. 31.
Spann has been a member of the town council since 2012.
In other matters, Councilman Richard Hardaway, D-2nd, said he would ask a former employee who claimed to have been unfairly terminated to participate in an exit interview.
The matter was brought up by Councilman Leonard White, D-7th, who said the terminated employee approached him. White said it’s his understanding that a town employee can only be hired or fired by the town council, not department heads.
“I don’t want to see department heads firing people,” White said.
Town Attorney Joseph Svetanoff said the town manager has the authority to hire and fire town employees.
As the council discussed what it called the “atrocious condition” at the CN Railroad tracks on Broadway, Svetanoff said this has been a reoccurring issue and suggested council members contact state senators and representatives about the matter.
He said the state lawmakers could provide additional pull when dealing with the railroad.
Town engineer Steve King said he was told the crossing would be repaired next year, but council members said the quality of the repair has been subpar in the past.
The council also agreed to adopt a kettle for the Salvation Army’s holiday fundraiser at a cost of $2,500 and to spend $2,217 for about 500 mugs. The mugs will have the town logo printed on them and will be distributed at a holiday party in December celebrating the town’s 50th anniversary.
Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
