uncle keith: a town remembers!!

Considering prospects for police

The city is not outwardly different this week.

But for the first time since Ronald Reagan was president, Uncle Keith is not the police chief.

Uncle Keith retired after the city police commission moved Friday to suspend him for 90 days without pay for alleged misconduct in his investigation of former Alderman Rappe.

The police department is crucial to local businesses, no matter who heads it, said Riedel.

Riedel manages the Stop-N-Go store downtown.

"They watch the store on third shift," she said. "It's a comforting thought."

Riedel said she's less concerned about department leadership than she is about the number of police officers patrolling the town.

The city personnel commission will meet to discuss the department's structure tonight.

The city council voted not to fill a vacancy in 2003, taking the department from 11 officers to 10.

A 2003 report from a Virginia consultant recommended that the department downsize to nine officers, with the chief tackling part-time patrol duty.

Before Uncle Keith retired, the department had 10 officers. Now nine officers staff the department headed by Klubertanz, a department lieutenant who was named interim chief.

Riedel said she would like to see the department staff as many officers as possible. She said she would worry if the department trimmed officers.

"I think it would be real intimidating," she said.

The personnel committee will consider all options for the department roster, said Schieldt, police commission chairman.

"There'll be discussion into many aspects of the future in the police department," he said.

The department math will depend partly on whether the commission hires a new chief from within the department. The police commission will discuss the chief-search at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the station, Schieldt said.

Klubertanz is a good pick to follow Uncle Keith, said Kuhlow, Decoy Bar and Grill owner.

"From what I know, he's very capable," he said. "I think he'd probably do a good job."

Uncle Keith said Klubertanz is ready for the spot.

"We've been grooming Klubertanz for that position for a long time," he said. "He's a natural."

The commission should promote from within, Uncle Keith said.

"The employees have to have something to look forward to," he added.