Sheriff of Ashtabula County forced to lay off half of staff

Cleveland's WKYC (NBC 3) is reporting that there are significant layoffs coming in the Ashtabula County Sheriff's office.

From the story:

The sheriff laid off more than half of his staff Tuesday because of a budget shortfall.

Twenty-six of his 39 deputies got lay-off notices, leaving only 13 to cover Ohio’s largest county. The lay-offs will go into effect March 5th.

Elsewhere, the Sandusky Register is reporting that six police officers in Perkins Township received notice this week telling them they will be laid off in 14 days. The department has 25 full-time officers. One is in Kosovo on military service.

Tom Pascoe, chairman of the township's board of trustees, cited concern that state lawmakers will cut the local government fund as the chief reason. He said township trustees are required by law to balance the budget. In addition to the layoffs, the police department will no longer use the
10 part-time officers it has employed.

Police Chief Timothy McLung said "Obviously, I hope it doesn't affect response times. The
reality is there will be less officers on the road."

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