CLEARFIELD – A changing of the guard within the Clearfield Borough Police Department was approved Thursday night at a special meeting of Clearfield Borough Council.
During the meeting, council voted and approved the resignation of Chief Jeff Rhone, effective Feb. 4, 2011. In his resignation letter, Rhone stated:
“Many years ago I was given the opportunity by Clearfield Borough to serve as a police officer, a most honorable position. Since that day, I have dedicated myself to Clearfield Borough and have never forgotten the opportunity I received to fulfill my childhood dreams of becoming a police officer.
“I have seen many changes in Clearfield Borough, all for the better and unbelievable efforts from this council to continue in making Clearfield a better and beautiful town in which to live. Together we suffered through what I believe was the worst times for Clearfield. By staying together and having a desire to resolve problems, we survived, making Clearfield a better place to live … Please continue to to work hard in making Clearfield a town which we can be proud of.”
Rhone has served for 30 years, with roughly five of those years as chief.
Following that action, council was asked to consider appointing Assistant Chief Vincent McGinnis as acting chief, effective Jan. 14, 2011, at a rate of $25 per hour. McGinnis was appointed assistant chief in October 2010.
Council members Jim Kling and Fred Wisor were against the action, with Rhone still on board as chief until Feb. 4. Rhone, however, said that he is handing the reigns over to McGinnis, and that he will be around to advise him.
“There are a lot of things he needs to learn how to do,” said Rhone. “This gives him…a head start.”
Wisor said that McGinnis, as the assistant, has the power to run the department in the chief’s absence.
“We’ll have two chiefs … I feel he should be (promoted) on Jeff’s last day of employment,” said Wisor.
Council voted on the motion to appointment, with Wisor and Kling voting no; all other council members voted yes.
