Chief did job and did it well

The headline read as if a prankster was playing a dirty joke on the man: "Borough Fires Chief Mozurkovich". Reading further into the article, I was certain it was indeed a joke. Someone's gone through a lot of trouble to pull this off but the reasons given for the firing couldn't be real. It had to be an elaborate hoax. Right??

Wrong. The remarks attributed to the mayor and borough council in regards to why they were about to fire the Chief was true. Because 'He doesn't love Greencastle' is why we've lost a good, conscientious police chief.

We've had a business on Center Square for 7 years now. Officer Pete had the concern and courtesy to drop in once or twice a week just to make sure all was well. He would check the doors during the off hours and alerted shop owners when their doors were left unlocked.

Not long ago the center square was home to loiterers and drug dealers. My wife felt so uncomfortable that she nearly closed down the shop. Just when we were contemplating what to do, a new police chief came into the store to introduce himself and to assure us that things would change in a hurry. He certainly kept his word. Within a month the riff-raff moved on, not to be seen since.

The mayor said "We need someone that loves Greencastle". I'd like to know what his definition of 'love' is and how that relates to policing a community. Did Chief Mozurkovich love this town? I don't know and quite honestly, I don't see the relevance. The man did his job and did it well. The message our council sends to any future applicant is "Love our town and do your job, but don't do it with diligence."

The chief donned the traditional uniform while performing his duties with customary police values. If that wasn't good enough for the council, I dare to think just what it is they do want in a police chief.

Don Didio Greencastle