Nationwide Locksmith
A local locksmith expressed concern that Marietta City Police are competing with his business when they unlock car doors for people who have locked keys inside their vehicles.
Tad Wigal, owner of Ace Lock, Safe and Security Co. at 122 Front St., said officers have been unlocking vehicles and not charging for the service for some time, but noted a recent proposal by city safety-service director Chad Presley to charge a $40 fee for vehicle unlocks by policemen.
“But Ace Lock charges $35 to unlock vehicles within the city limits,” Wigal said. “And unlocking car doors takes police away from their duties.”
As a former member of the Parkersburg Police Department, he said that agency never received training on unlocking doors.
“This should not be done by the police department, and I have an issue with police doing my job and taking away from my business,” Wigal added. “I want to do business in this community and to have a successful business.”
Councilman Andy Thompson, R-at large, agreed with Wigal.
“He made a good point,” Thompson said. “Although I understand that the police department wants to help people, we don’t want to be in competition with private businesses.”
And Councilman Mike McCauley, D-2nd Ward, said he, too, appreciated Wigal’s comments.
“In most other communities the police defer unlocks to a local locksmith unless there’s an emergency, like the car was left running,” he said.
The $40 fee to unlock vehicles was among several other new or increased city service fees recommended by Presley during a meeting of council’s police and fire committee Jan. 26.
In other business
Authorized advertisement for bids and contracts for the city’s 2010 asphalt paving program, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramp replacement program, and the Gilman Avenue resurfacing and sidewalk installation project.
Approved a $20,000 change order on the Mound Cemetery fence rehabilitation project allowing replacement of 68 fence posts that were not included in the original contract.
Authorized bids and a contract to dispose of sanitary sewage sludge from the wastewater treatment plant in a sanitary landfill.
Approved proposed paving and upgrades by the Ohio Department of Transportation near the intersection of Ohio 7 and Interstate 77 between the east end of the Duck Creek bridge and the Pike and Acme streets intersection.
Approved a contract with Pickering Associates, Inc., to evaluate renovation possibilities for the second floor of 301 Putnam St.
Authorized a change order allowing Stantec Consulting Services to assess damage and repairs in the wake of the Jan. 3 sewage leak at the wastewater treatment plant.
Approved a resolution honoring Marietta Fire Capt. Daniel Hale, who’s retiring Saturday after 26 years of service.
