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During last weeks Huron County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board held lengthy discussion with the sheriff and amongst themselves. However, not everyone seems to agree with the settlement decision.

Board Chair Robert Haldane opened the meeting greeting the supporters and stating, "I have before you a proposal that we are going to talk about."

He explained the meeting was not intended to "question the sheriff, all questions should be addressed to the subjects of this proposal."

In an attempt to settle the "dispute" between the commissioners and the sheriff, Commissioner Tim Rujan met recently with the sheriff to come up with a compromise.

"My intentions were nothing but good to get a resolution to this," said Rujan. He added, "When Kent and I talked, I made it clear I was not representing the board."

However, Huron County Corporate Counsel Steve Allen stated he was not in favor of the contact, but is in agreement to settle the matter.

"This is a recognition his job goes beyond, as part of being an elected official; that he can be called out at anytime," said Allen. He added, "I can recommend this resolution; this community has been divided too long."

The resolution (see side bar for actual resolution) states that Sheriff Tibbits is to reimburse the county for $1,500 for his Florida trip, that it was wrong to take the vehicle, agrees to a "model" vehicle policy, the board rescinds the previous resolution asking for $7,600 in reimbursement, other items and the sheriff's resignation and that all claims are settled along with the sheriff's lawsuit against the county to be dropped.

"A good settlement hurts both side," said Allen. "There is a benefit to having a settlement."

Tibbits did agree to the settlement and ultimately the Board of Commissioners did, eventually, but with some comments and uncertainty.

"Sheriff Tibbits agrees to the agreement; he has agreed to the policy and is grateful the board is willing to settle this," said Tibbits attorney Julie Gafkay.

After much discussion, the board did pass the resolution, but not unanimously; Commissioners Rujan, Haldane, Clark Elftman and Don Pascarella voted in favor and Commissioners David Peruski, James Leonard and Ron Wruble voted no.

Commissioner comments:

Peruski: "I do have some concerns with the $1,500. I believe it is too low. I never would have allowed personal use (of the assigned vehicle). The only part of that resolution I am willing to rescind is the resignation part; I would have to think hard before rescinding it completely. I didn't like being sued over this; I didn't like being involved with this, I just can't believe that happened."

Leonard: "I would agree with Mr. Peruski that $1,500 is not enough. The perpetrator comes up and admits everything. If this (agreement) would have come up at first, I would have agreed to it then. There are other sins that have to be paid for here.

Wruble: "Unbenounced to me, when Tim (Rujan) was having the contact with the Sheriff, I contacted the Undersheriff. That (agreement) was in my mind what I wanted to initiate. To get this basically ironed out, I basically tried to turn back the clock; get things back to the way they used to be."

Elftman: "I tried to find resolution to this, weeks ago. For my efforts I was rewarded with a lawsuit. I am still upset over that. We have rules and laws and they have to be followed. I don't think anyone has caught more flack than me, except for you sheriff."

Pascarella: "Could of, would of, should of doesn't change anything. I feel this could have been all done with a handshake. We are doing our job and I still feel we have a good county. Sheriff Tibbits has been good for the county in many aspects. I agree this has to end."

Haldane noted the agreement resolution deal only with Sheriff Tibbits and no future Sheriff.

In response, Tibbits said, "I just want to thank Tim Rujan for stepping up to the plate."

In a news release issued last week, Tibbits stated:

"I am very pleased we have reached a settlement with the Huron County Commissioners regarding the Prosecutor's investigation of my use of the motor vehicle that was assigned to me as Sheriff. As I indicated in the beginning when the allegations arose that I had used my care improperly by taking it to Florida. I am will to pay the county for its use. However, as I have maintained from the very beginning, there was absolutely no violation of the law or no violation of policy regarding my use of the vehicle.

I wish to thank everyone for their support during this very difficult time for both myself and my family. I am grateful that the commissioners and I have been able to reach a satisfactory resolution. I bear no ill-will towards the commissioners. They were simply trying to do their job, given a very difficult political climate."