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Southern View trustees repeal prior ordinance after dispute over Neighborhood Watch oversight
Summary
After heated debate about fundraising, bylaws and a removed liaison, the Village of Southern View Board voted unanimously to repeal Ordinance 23-12-03 and discussed — but did not adopt — Ordinance 24-10-04, which would cancel the village's agreement with the Neighborhood Watch Committee.
President Mike Patsche called the Nov. 13 special meeting of the Village of Southern View Board and read Ordinance 24-10-04, which states in part that "Southern View Neighborhood Watch Committee has not complied with the terms of that agreement." He opened the item for discussion and a trustee motion to consider the ordinance followed.
Trustee Mike Tavernor asked what authority Ordinance 24-10-04 would give the village over the Neighborhood Watch. Attorney Don Craven replied that, "as he understands it the committee has registered as a non for profit entity," and that state nonprofit status limits the village's direct control. Board members and the police chief provided competing accounts: the chief's written statement, read into the record, said the committee ignored National Organization guidance, failed to submit quarterly reports and removed a Board-designated liaison — concerns the president cited as reasons to pursue cancellation of the agreement.
Several trustees and committee members disputed the characterization of events. Trustee Rebecca LaRussa described the dispute as "childish" and urged a return to community focus, while committee volunteers said they wanted fewer fundraising-only events and more resident-focused activities. Longtime Neighborhood Watch member Anna Berkley said, "I have been on Neighborhood Watch since 1986," and urged the Board to preserve the group's community work rather than treat internal disputes as grounds for dissolution.
After discussion the Board voted to repeal Ordinance 23-12-03. Trustee Greg Bourland moved to repeal the prior ordinance; Trustee Betsy Richbark seconded, and the motion passed on a roll-call vote in which "all voted AYE." The record shows no final vote adopting Ordinance 24-10-04 to cancel the agreement; the item was discussed but not recorded as adopted.
The meeting moved into executive session later that evening on a motion by Trustee Robert Eskew to discuss personnel and minutes under the Open Meetings Act; trustees later returned and the meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
