WHAT'S UP IN PERRY? IS THE CHIEF'S RESIGNATION LETTER TO BE TAKEN AT FACE VALUE?

It's hush, hush time in Perry. The SCPR believes that nobody is telling the "real" reason Chief of Police Tim Escola has resigned.

The SCPR hears (from different sources) that Escola resigned in hopes of avoiding an embarrassing public discussion and consideration of a personal relationship situation. It's hard believe he thinks this gambit will work in 2009. But you can't fault the guy for trying.

Perry Township authorities have (according to a Repository report yesterday) launched an investigation of Escola on a basis of an anonymous "tip" received by officials on Thursday.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that, if true, the anonymous allegation has explosive qualities with the potential to impact on the township governing authority. Accordingly, the trustees are right to be out front in responding with an immediate investigation.

Escola denies any wrongdoing. But what does he mean by wrongdoing? If he is denying any "criminal" misconduct, then - according to what the SCPR's sources are saying - he seems to be correct.

Outside the criminal realm, there are different classes of wrongdoing: moral, civil, ethical, sexual, financial, and on and on goes the list.

Whether or not Escola's denial of wrongdoing will hold up is dependent on the outcome of the Township's investigation and the success of consequential action (or there is a determination of no need for action) by Perry officials or, perhaps, by a stakeholder connected to the situation.

In the end, the SCPR doesn't buy Escola's given reason, to wit: (as set out in the referenced Repository piece)

Many goals have been accomplished, and through the efforts of many we had secured future financing through successful levies.

Good try, Chief!