Bethel officer was first on scene

Bethel Police Officer David Wood was at Frisch’s in Batavia on Sunday, Oct. 18, when a Sardinia woman, Constance Skidmore, was pinned between two vehicles. Chief Mark Planck told council members during their meeting on Monday, Oct. 26, that Wood was the first to call 911 for assistance.

Healthcare officials had decided to transport Skidmore by AirCare from Mercy Clermont to University Hospital and Wood offered to take the family members to the Cincinnati hospital.

“Officer Wood was taking the family members to the hospital when they received the call that she had died,” said Planck. “He went above and beyond the call of duty in responding to the family needs and I wanted council to know about it.”

The AirCare doctor pronounced Skidmore dead at the Clermont Mercy Hospital air care landing zone before she was transported.

She was in the process of placing her grandchild into the vehicle when Brian Ellis, 35, of Batavia, lost control of his 2002 pickup truck as he was going through the drive through. His truck struck her, pinning her between two vehicles.

In other business:

• Council members welcomed Mayor John Swarthout back after his recent heart surgery.

"I want to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes during my surgery and recovery," said Swarthout. "Things are going well, I'm back to work at school and I appreciate everything that everyone has done to help me."

• Village Solicitor George Leicht told council that he had filed on behalf of the village for the recovery of funds from Laurie Taylor. Taylor, the former mayor's court clerk pleaded guilty on Aug. 5 of theft in office. An audit discovered more than $13,000 missing from the village coffers.

• Council approved amending an ordinance setting water rates for water tap fees and adding a section setting fines for meter tampering.

• Councilman Tim Cherry reported that grant funds may be available to the village for the repair of the South Charity Street bridge and sidewalk. The grant would require matching funds from the village.