Milton Township Officials Back Employee after Ethics Complaint Dismissed

Milton Township officials agreed Tuesday to pay the bill for an employee's township-issued cell phone bill, after the township Ethics Commission on March 23 declined to pursue an ethics complaint against the employee due to "lack of probable cause," according to a press release.

On March 13, a week before the primary election, Township Trustee James Flickinger charged that Ralph Hinkle, the executive director of the township’s emergency response team, had been campaigning on government time. Flickinger told Patch he requested information about Hinkle's office hours and use of equipment, after more than one township employees complained to Flickinger that Hinkle was campaigning during business hours and using township property and resources to do so.

Although the township ethics panel had already rejected Flickinger's complaint about Hinkle, at the Township Board meeting on Tuesday Flickinger objected to paying the bill for Hinkle's township phone.

“It strikes me as improper use of our monies—public monies—and I’m in great opposition to paying that,” said Flickinger.

He said Hinkle’s phone bill includes “30 calls” between Hinkle and and the cell phone of Jeanne Ives, who won a five-person race for the Republican nomination for state representative for the 42nd District on March 20.

Flickinger also voiced concern Tuesday, before the board went into closed session to discuss the matter, that Hinkle’s wife, Gail Hinkle—who is the elected Milton Township clerk—would take part. He said that would have a “chilling” effect on the conversation.

Township Supervisor Chris Heidorn had referred Flickinger’s complaint to the township’s ethics committee. In his note referring the matter to the ethics committee, Heidorn wrote that Flickinger’s complaints about Hinkle were “groundless,” but he felt the committee should still investigate the allegations.

Flickinger told Patch he doesn't know which candidate—or campaign—Hinkle supported before the primary. Ives told Patch Hinkle is one of her supporters.

Hinkle has declined to comment on Flickinger's allegations against him.