Commission hopeful urges combining police

3/23/2010

Ben Krompak, who is seeking a seat on the Lucas County Board of Commissioners, challenged county and city of Toledo officials yesterday to explore establishing a metropolitan police department.

Mr. Krompak, a Democrat, asked Lucas County Sheriff James Telb and Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre to discuss the possibility.

“We need long-term solutions to save taxpayers money, prevent police layoffs, and strengthen public safety throughout Lucas County,” Mr. Krompak said.

The metropolitan police department could include all the police departments in Lucas County, Mr. Krompak said.

Eight other people will vie May 4 to replace Democrat Ben Konop on the board. The other candidates are:

• Democrats Carol Contrada, a Sylvania Township trustee; former city councilman Art Jones of Toledo; retired University of Toledo professor Earl Murry of Maumee; retired public health administrator Tim Porter of Sylvania Township, and lawyer Michael Zychowicz of Sylvania Township.

• Republicans Andy Glenn, a Springfield Township trustee; George Sarantou, a Toledo city councilman, and Dan Steingraber, a real estate businessman from Oregon.