City may settle with fired cop for $70K

Officials also are discussing a settlement with a firefighter over residency outside the city.

By David Skolnick

YOUNGSTOWN — A police officer fired in 2006 for violating the city’s residency law would receive $70,000 in back pay and damages from Youngstown in a settlement being proposed by the administration.

City council will vote on the recommendation at a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to authorize the board of control to make the payment to Patrolman Daniel Tickerhoof.

As part of the deal, Tickerhoof would quit the police department, Mayor Jay Williams said.

Tickerhoof earned about $50,000 annually in base pay as a Youngstown officer.

In addition to the $70,000, Tickerhoof would receive about $1,500 for unused sick and vacation time in severance pay from the city, Williams said.

Tickerhoof would not be replaced if the board of control approves the settlement.

The city fired Tickerhoof in September 2006 because he moved from Youngstown to Canal Fulton in Summit County.

Tickerhoof moved after the state Legislature voted in June 2006 to overturn residency requirement laws in cities, villages and counties in Ohio for their workers as a condition of employment.

The Youngstown administration fired Tickerhoof and Firefighter Joseph Wren, who moved to Poland. City administrators said the two violated the city’s residency law that required all city employees hired since 1986 to live in Youngstown.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled two months ago that the state law was constitutional and didn’t violate cities’ home-rule authority.

Youngstown was forced to rehire Tickerhoof and Wren in July.

In a November 2006 federal lawsuit, Tickerhoof sued the city for $100,000, but agreed to dismiss the case in May 2007 and wait for the state Supreme Court’s decision.

After being fired, Tickerhoof worked for the Canal Fulton Police Department.

While Tickerhoff returned to the Youngstown force last month, he is expected to work for the Canal Fulton department after the settlement is approved.

The automated telephone system at the Canal Fulton Police Department includes an option to leave a voice mail for Tickerhoof. Messages left late Monday afternoon by The Vindicator for Tickerhoof and Canal Fulton Police Chief David Frisone on their department voice mails weren’t returned.

Wren is discussing a financial settlement with the city’s law department, said Williams and Fire Chief John O’Neill.

Wren, paid about $50,000 a year in base pay as a firefighter, had fought his firing through arbitration.

An arbitrator ruled in the summer of 2007 that he was in no position to make a decision because the matter was being considered by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Wren didn’t return messages left Monday by the newspaper.

skolnick@vindy.com