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OFFICERS SHOW THANKS — Steubenville Police Department officials met with trustees of the Charles M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation and the Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation this week to express their gratitude for a recent grant that helped purchase new fitness equipment for the police department. Attending Tuesday’s appreciation event were, from left, front row, Patrol Officer Pete Gaffney and Patrol Officer Kylie Rogers, second row, Patrol Officer Joel Michael Letznik, Trustee Tom Timmons, Patrol Officer Jacob Reasoner, back row, Capt. Joseph Bookmelter, Chief Ken Anderson, Mayor Jim Mavromatis and Trustee H. Lee Kinney. — Julie Stenger
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OFFICERS EXPRESS THANKS — Steubenville Police Department officials met with trustees of the Charles M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation and the Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation this week to express their gratitude for a recent grant that helped purchase new fitness equipment for the police department. Attending Tuesday’s appreciation event were, from left, front row, Patrol Officer Pete Gaffney and Patrol Officer Kylie Rogers, second row, Patrol Officer Joel Michael Letznik, Trustee Tom Timmons, Patrol Officer Jacob Reasoner, back row, Captain Joseph Buchmelter, Chief Ken Anderson, City Manager Jim Mavromatis and Trustee H. Lee Kinney. — Julie Stenger
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Police Officer Jacob Reasoner was practicing with a 350-pound weight. — Julie Stenger
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Officer Pete Gaffney used one of the police department’s new treadmills. — Julie Stenger
STEUBENVILLE — Steubenville Police Department, police officers are typically people who give back to others.
Do your best to protect it.
Support during a crisis.
Responding to people when they are at their worst.
Yet, they ask for nothing in return…just that we obey their written laws and treat one another with kindness.
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Police Officer Jacob Reasoner was practicing with a 350-pound weight. — Julie Stenger
But one local group of boards decided it was time to change all that.
And they gave back.
Now, trustees of the Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation have decided it’s their turn to give back to the city’s police department.
The department received a donation through the foundation, giving them the opportunity to upgrade their exercise and fitness areas.
Tom Timmons is one of the trustees of the Pugliese Charitable Foundation. He explained how the trustees solicit applications from the community each year.
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Officer Pete Gaffney used one of the police department’s new treadmills. — Julie Stenger
And every year, a few people respond, he noted.
Timmons said the police department submitted an application to the foundation last year, complete with a description of the project they wanted.
During the foundation’s second quarter, trustees review applicant submissions and decide which applications to fund that year.
“Usually the number of applicants far exceeds our budget.” Timmons said. “In this particular case, we chose the Steubenville Police Department and their need for a gym facility.”
The training room is located on the second floor of City Hall on South Third Street.
The upper floors once housed the city jail and housed inmates, with concrete floors and iron bars still in the cells built in the 1930s or 1940s, officials said.
Police department officials said they need new fitness equipment and upgrades to the room itself, needs that will soon be realized thanks to the grant award from the foundation.
Officer Jacob Reasoner explained that the previous gym’s equipment was outdated, and the grant money gives officers more options when they want to train.
Reasoner was in the middle of training Tuesday just before a visit from Pugliese Trustee Timmons and H. Lee Kinney, one of the foundation’s three original trustees; Trustee G. Daniel Spahn was unable to attend the tour of the facility.
Reasoner took the time to explain the various pieces of equipment that have been installed, including the new Preacher curling machine.
This equipment is used to increase the strength, power and definition of the biceps.
There’s a hammer strength training machine for working both sides of the body and a weight bench for pressing.
The room where Reasoner trained included a squat rack and several dumbbells, each weighing between 20 and 120 pounds. There was also a cable fly machine, which he said targets the pectoral muscles, and also works the deltoids, triceps, and core for stability.
“There are many new amenities and upgrades, including new floors.” The reasoner said. “I feel 100 percent better.”
The cushioned interlocking flooring was purchased with funds from the trust fund and has made a real difference to gym users.
Other members who have used the facility include Officers Pete Gaffney, Joel Michael Recznick and Kylie Rogers.
Everyone is grateful for the new equipment and the space allows active duty police officers and their families, as well as those who have retired from the police force, to use the gym equipment at their convenience.
The fitness space will allow police officers to train before or after their shifts and they don’t have to pay club membership fees to get training.
They also have the opportunity to see each other on the weight benches or simply work out with coworkers they consider friends.Other rooms upstairs are outfitted with cardio equipment, including the new Assault Fitness elliptical machines.
A rowing machine and a sole treadmill are set up side by side in front of the plasma TV.
“These areas were in a state of disrepair.” Police Chief Ken Anderson said.
Capt. Joseph Buchmelter agreed that the foundation grant has helped make significant improvements.
“I can’t thank the Foundation enough.” Buchmelter said. “The guys at the police department are really appreciative. It’s a big step forward and we’re grateful.”
Kinney said he was a longtime member of the Pugliese Foundation and knew Charles and Thelma.
“The Puglieses respected and admired the work of police.” exclaimed Kinney. The couple operated hotels primarily in Steubenville, Wheeling, Warren and Portsmouth, and he noted that the old Imperial Hotel was always guarded by the police department.
“The Puglieses have always respected police and I know they will be pleased that we were able to do this for them today.” Kinney said. “I knew her and I know she would be happy we did this for a police department that we both appreciate.”
Mayor Jim Mavromatis toured the facility along with board members and police officials.
He commented that the fitness equipment is a much-needed addition to the police force.
He said physical fitness is a very important factor in becoming a police officer.
“I think it’s great to have an organization like this in our city.” “It’s a great opportunity for us to build a strong foundation,” Mavromatis said of the Pugliese Charitable Foundation. “This equipment is a great addition to our police department.”
“Our officers do so much for the city and we’re pleased the Foundation was able to provide some support in the performance of their duties.” Mavromatis added.
Timmons said he thinks the room looks great and is pleased the Pugliese Foundation was able to support the department.
“We did a lot of good things for the community every day.” He concluded by noting that those who received the funds are using the money to help others in some way.
The police chief also expressed his gratitude and thanked the foundation for approving the application.
“The well-being of our officers continues to be a top priority for the Steubenville Police Department, and we want to thank the Pagliese Foundation for their generous grant and support.” Anderson said.