On Tuesday evening, November 11, Mayor Clyde Hochstetler called the city’s council

members together to clarify misinformation spreading throughout the community

concerning the city’s police force. Social media had revealed two officers were leaving

the force. This sudden disturbing information led some residents to speculate that

rumors of council considering dissolving the city police department may be true.

Mayor Hochstetler quickly informed the packed chamber of concerned citizens that any

such rumors or social media posts were incorrect and the city council had no intentions

of dissolving the police department. He then informed the group that the council was

aware that two officers would be leaving the department, and there needed to be a

discussion concerning those officers, and the council would need to begin the process

of filling one or both positions.

A few of the gathered citizens still seemed to not fully understand the situation, and

spoke of their support for the department. The citizens said they wanted the council to

understand they don’t want the department to be closed.

Councilman Don Dillaman spoke up and made it as clear as possible that the council

had not at any time discussed the issue of doing away with the police protection the

good officers of the Paden City force have given to the city and its residences.

After several attempts to clarify the situation, Mayor Hochstetler called for an executive

session and the council went into a closed-door meeting to discuss the issue of

replacing the two officer positions.

Upon returning to an open meeting, Mayor Hochstetler stated the council had decided

to begin the process of replacing the leaving officers.

It was announced that Chief Anthony Lauer had accepted a new job as Police Chief of

Sistersville replacing Sistersville’s longtime chief Rob Haught who is retiring. Chief

Anthony Lauer stated he will begin his new position the first of December, but would not

officially be the new mayor until January 2026. He added he would lend assistance to

the city until his replacement could be found, if they wanted him to help. When asked

why he was leaving for a position with the Sistersville police department, he indicated

the working environment with Mayor Hochstetler had become challenging and he felt it

was time he moved on. He expressed his gratitude to the city for the support of the

citizens and the training and education he gained in his five years leading the force. It

was evident from his words, this decision was not an easy one for him to make, but it

was best for all concerned.