By KIMBERLY LEWIS
News Leader Editor
Carroll County Sheriff's Deputy Kenny Yost admits he is bitter. Last spring, Malvern Village Council disbanded the village police department and contracted with the sheriff's office for police protection.
All in the name of saving money -- the village spent more than $100,000 for its own police department and would be able to contract with the sheriff's office for $88,000.
In the agreement, which ends May 1, the sheriff's office operates a substation in the former Malvern Police Department and Yost continues to serve the residents he cares about as a deputy. Joining Yost, who is full-time, is one part-time officer working 39 hours.
Now, nearly a year later, Yost and the other deputy stationed at the Malvern substation are packing. Yost believes he was "used to smooth over" the village's transition from the police department to the sheriff's office, allaying residents' concerns.
Signs posted on the substation windows Tuesday, April 15, advised: "Effective May 1, 2008, this sheriff substation will be closing permanently. If you need assistance or have any problems, please call 911 if it's an emergency. Or call 330-627-2141 for any other non-emergency matters." By Wednesday, April 16, the signs were removed.
This announcement, or lack of announcement, comes following a special council meeting held April 14, which was described as an executive session to meet with Carroll County Sheriff Dale Williams. No action was taken upon reconvening, it was reported.
Although no "official" announcement has been made, Yost and another deputy appeared to be vacating the Malvern substation. Deputies were seen putting boxes into a vehicle April 16.
Yost's main concern is the residents of the village he has served as street superintendent, police chief and, lastly, deputy.
"I don't want someone having a heart attack coming to the substation and pounding on the door, expecting someone to be here to help," he said. "The residents need to know we won't be here."
Yost will continue to work as a deputy, serving not just Malvern, but the entire county for the road patrol.
Sheriff Dale Williams said Tuesday, April 22, he is "diappointed that the sheriff's office will not have a substation in Malvern."
According to Williams, negotiations are continuing with the village, but the outlook is bleak. Williams said he was told "the village has no money."
According to Fiscal Officer Nancy Yeager, the village budgeted $57,000 for "contracted services," which she explained was the sheriff's contract. Williams noted council did offer the sheriff's office the ability to use the substation, but "we won't have someone in there eight hours a day."
No mention of the contract was made during council's meeting April 21.