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Resident alleges commissioner abused power at Caine Pool; lifeguard corroborates interaction
Summary
A Canton resident accused a city commissioner of using official status to gain access at the municipal pool; a lifeguard present said he felt pressure during the interaction.
During the public "Visitors to be Heard" portion of the meeting, resident Chad Skiles told the Canton City Commission that an incident at Kennedy (Caine) Pool involved a city commissioner and characterized the conduct as an "abuse of power." Skiles said several people had contacted him about the incident and he encouraged those with complaints to "go through the appropriate channels" (speak at a commission meeting or contact city hall).
Lifeguard Jesse Wentz spoke after Skiles and said he was on duty the morning the incident occurred. Wentz recounted telling the person in question that parents could not stay in the pool area during lessons; he said the person responded, "I'm part of the commission," which made him uncomfortable and he perceived that as an "inappropriate use of power." Wentz said he did not want to confront the person further while on duty.
The mayor asked whether anyone else wished to speak; no formal complaint or charges were filed at the meeting, and the speakers were told to use appropriate complaint processes or address matters through city hall if they wished to pursue an ethics or discipline inquiry. The commission did not take formal action on the allegation during the meeting excerpt.
