City reinstates officer

After four years of forced retirement from the Seymour Police Department, former officer Woody DeZarn, Jr. is looking forward to putting on his uniform again.

DeZarn was reinstated to the department Thursday morning by the Seymour Board of Public Works and Safety. He will officially resume duties as an officer today.

His retirement and subsequent pension began in 2004 as a result of physical disabilities from a spinal injury sustained in  line-of-duty injuries that occurred in 1985, 1990 and 1991. DeZarn declined to give details on the nature of how he sustained those injuries.

"I left simply because I was injured and misdiagnosed for years," DeZarn said. "But when they finally found out what caused the problem, it was severe. My doctors were concerned about my well-being so I was put off duty. I never said I wanted to retire and I hadn't planned on retirement."

For the past five months, DeZarn has petitioned the board to allow him to come back to work, saying his disability has been medically corrected.

DeZarn said he has had surgery and treatment for his condition and could provide a doctor's release to return to work.

"I dedicated myself to being a police officer and made a career of it," DeZarn said. "It's something I love to do. They say you don't have to work a day in your life if you love your job, and I loved being a police officer. I'm glad I have the chance to go back."

Police Chief Bill Abbott recommended approval of DeZarn's reinstatement.

"The police pension board met May 1 to discuss Mr. DeZarn's situation," Abbott told board of works members. "He was able to provide detailed documentation that his disability is corrected. We agree that it has and ask that he be reinstated."

City attorney Rodney Farrow pointed out that with reinstatement, the prior agreement that DeZarn had with the city to pay medical bills related to his disability would be terminated.

DeZarn said he has been looking forward to today for a long time.

"I still feel that I can do the job. I want to put in a few more good years," he said. "I'm looking forward to just being able to do my job again."

In other business

Also Thursday, Seymour Board of Works:

-- Approved a license and application from First United Methodist Church to have its annual circus and carnival May 24 and 25 in the parking lot across from the old mill on U.S. 50.

-- Approved a request to block West Bruce Street and some parking places at Trinity United Methodist Church for a community pancake breakfast on June 21.

-- Approved a motion to forward a claim for damages from Community Provisions of Jackson County for a sewer backup to the city's insurance company.

-- Approved a contract for $31,500 with Jim Wayman of Wayman & Associates for design services to extend Elsner Drive, create a sanitary sewer lift station and lower an existing sewer line in the Eastside Industrial Park.

-- Approved a request from Dick Wilde, director of the Department of Public Works, to advertise for bids for trash disposal.

-- Tabled discussion on a contract with Reedy & Peters LLC for services for the city, wastewater utility and redevelopment commission because representatives from the company could not attend the meeting.

-- Approved sewer connections for Arthur Properties at 803 Allendale Drive, Foresight Land Surveying for a main tap for the Dupont Drive commercial subdivision and Baniwa Corp. for Lot 56 Big Horn Lane, Brand Hill Estates.