Duncansville council hires new police chief; still without mayor or budget

DUNCANSVILLE – The borough of Duncansville in Blair County narrowly hired a new police chief Monday night, but is still without a mayor or a budget.

The first council meeting of the year was more of a screaming match at times.

Three council members were sworn in, but the reorganization meeting was anything but organized.

There were several shouting matches between residents and council members.

The council went back and forth in the very beginning while voting for council president and vice president.

Jeff Wolf was elected president, Dave Shaw as vice president and Cynthia Blontz pro tem.

There was a motion to interview the three mayoral candidates right there at the meeting, but the motion was voted down, causing a lot of frustration for residents and some on council.

One woman shouted multiple times that the council is an embarrassment to Blair County.

When it came to the vacant chief of police position, Wolf argued he wanted to interview candidates again.

Many including former chief, and current Blair County Sheriff, Jim Ott, made it clear that the personnel committee already made their recommendation.

After a two to one vote, with one abstention, Jeff Ketner from Hollidaysburg was hired as the new police chief.

Ott was frustrated because he said he notified council in June they needed to find a chief so they could train them and make a smooth transition.

He said Monday’s hiring was long overdue.

"Here we are now the first of the year and at least we're going to move forward, so I'm glad; for the residents, for the department and for those candidates too," Ott said. "And council took a step tonight to select based on who the personnel interviewed and who, as the group, they decided to make as their majority.

Ott said Ketner has more than 30 years in law enforcement. Ketner is a retired chief of police for Hollidaysburg and sergeant in charge of the North Woodbury Township Police Department.

Ott said Ketner started his career in Duncansville and now he's coming back.

Ott says his community hasn’t had this kind of turmoil in a while. He said they need to get back to harmony.

The council still did not approve a budget but they did pass a motion to interview candidates for mayor at their end of the month meeting on Jan. 31.

That will be at 7 p.m. at the Duncansville Community Center so more residents can attend and watch.

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