NEWTON FALLS, Ohio - A call to Trumbull County 9-1-1 last month by Newton Falls Councilwoman Tesa Spletzer-3rd Ward that does not appear to have been an emergency has led to a filing by another council member to remove her from office for “gross misconduct.” A hearing has been set for May 19.

It is the latest development involving a bitterly divided council and an environment of confrontation and ongoing anger.

In a recording of the April 16 call made available to 21 News, Spletzer tells the dispatcher she is calling because village Manager David Lynch “is refusing to give me information” and adds that she wants to charge him with obstructing official business. “He refuses to communicate with me,” she says. The dispatcher agrees to send an officer and does not question whether Spletzer should have made the call on the emergency number.

You can hear the 9-1-1 recording by clicking  here

The Trumbull 9-1-1 website describes the system as “your first source of help in times of crisis and it can mean the difference between life and death.” Patty Goldner, the system’s interim director, says she hasn't heard the recording yet and may have a response Thursday after she reviews it.

Ironically, the council member who filed against Spletzer is Sandra Breymaier, 4th Ward, who is the subject of a recall effort—one that Spletzer supports. A special council meeting has been scheduled for this evening to again try to place the issue on the ballot. A previous attempt earlier had to be cancelled when three council members did not attend. One of them, Tarry Alberini-council at-Large resigned yesterday.

Spletzer, contacted by 21 News, justified her use of 9-1-1 to complain about Lynch. “I felt I had no other choice,” she said. “I wasn’t sure the Newton Falls police (system) worked (because) most of the time you call, you get a recording.”

Spletzer said she has had an ongoing dispute with Lynch since  February 26 when she asked for copies of applications and resumes from applicants for an economic developer position and never got them. “I have received nothing from the village for two-and-a-half months after repeated requests, emails and phone calls,” she said. The councilwoman said she did not talk to Lynch the day she called 9-1-1, but accused him of “hostility” on and after February 26.

Spletzer also denied her call to 9-1-1 was frivolous. “I have never been charged with anything by 9-1-1, but they did send an officer (who) did not criticize me for the call,” she said. “He was very understanding and tried to be helpful.”

Lynch’s only statement about the incident: “I never spoke to her (April 16) and beyond that I have no comment.”

Spletzer was notified of the removal hearing in a letter sent yesterday by Newton Falls Law Director A. Joseph Fritz. Attempts to reach Fritz have been unsuccessful.