Police issue worries some Oran candidates

ORAN, Mo. -- As the April 4 municipal election approaches in Oran, some candidates are concerned the controversy over the police department could affect the election outcome and put responsible city government at risk.

Other candidates say the police controversy isn't an issue at all.

Since chief Marc Tragesser came to office late last summer in Oran, the town has been divided between those who support the chief and those who think his law enforcement style is too harsh.

Now, with elections a month away, the divide hasn't narrowed. Mike McVay, a candidate for the Ward 2 alderman seat, has been one of the most outspoken critics of Tragesser.

In a statement presented to the board of aldermen in early February, McVay said Tragesser's law enforcement was running businesses out of town. McVay didn't return calls made by the Southeast Missourian to comment on the issue, but another candidate, Ward 1 incumbent Harold Landewee, said he's sure McVay and several other candidates are running on a platform of opposition to the chief.

Ward 3 incumbent Jimmy Westrich is being challenged by Ray Dean Hanselman. Westrich has an unlisted phone number, and a call to Hanselman wasn't returned Friday.

"I think it really is an issue, but I don't know why it should be, because it's the people of the town that have gotten a lot of these rumors started," Landewee said. "The police chief is doing a marvelous job."

Landewee said he's concerned the conflict over the police could jeopardize a $2.5 million bond issue for building new school facilities that is being put to a vote, also on April 4. The school needs new facilities for an elementary and junior high school, he said, to replace current buildings with badly leaking roofs and plumbing problems.

Landewee worries that the police controversy make keep some away from the polls who would vote for the bond issue, and bring more people to the polls -- those who oppose the chief -- who might vote against it.

The bond would be paid off through the continuation of an existing property tax, $3.50 per $100 assessed valuation. The tax would last 20 more years, and the school would pay $1 million of its own money to supplement the overall $3.5 million project.

The controversy may overshadow the bond issue in the minds of voters, he said.

Landewee's opponent, Billy Senciboy, was not available for comment. Senciboy is part owner of Otter's Bar and Grill, a business that has been critical of Tregesser.

Ronnie Diebold Jr., who is challenging Mayor Tom Urhahn in a three-way race with Ben Evans, said the police issue isn't part of his campaign.

Diebold is currently Ward 2 alderman, the vacated seat being sought by McVay and Gil Roslen.

Instead, he said, he's campaigning on improving the town's infrastructure and trying to bring in new business to Oran. He hopes to do this by using grants without raising taxes.

A 26-year-old business owner and lifelong resident of Oran, Diebold said he thinks the city should be run like a business. Lately, he said, too many personal issues have become part of city business with the police controversy.

"There should never be any personal conflict in our city council business," said Diebold. "Within the last six months personal issues have come about more than taking care of certain issues in a businesslike manner."

Diebold wants to do things like improve sidewalks and maintain the town's infrastructure, he said. He said he supports the board of aldermen's backing of Tragesser but that supporting the decisions doesn't necessarily mean he agrees with them.

Even if he didn't support the decisions, he said the chief has passed his probationary period and can't be fired unless he does something that warrants firing.

Mayor Tom Urhahn said there are some candidates running on their opposition to Tragesser, but the issue isn't part of his platform. Instead Urhahn is running on his 10 years' experience as mayor and his desire to continue his work in that post.

Ultimately the decision is up to the people, said Urhahn. But if candidates running on their opposition to Tragesser are elected, he'll be concerned about the town's future, he said.

Landewee and Urhahn are both confident most of the town supports the chief and the incumbents running for re-election, the people just have to get out and vote.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182