Recordpub.com - Windham council president faces felony charge

By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

WINDHAM — Village Council President Philip Snyder has been charged with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.

He was arrested Friday and released from the Portage County Jail after posting a $50,000 recognizance bond, following an appearance before Common Pleas Judge Laurie Pittman.

The arrest stems from an alleged incident in August 2005, before Snyder was a councilman. While working as the treasurer for the Windham post of the American Legion, he attempted to deceive income tax officials, said Portage County Sheriff David Doak

“Allegedly, Mr. Snyder presented a document to the village of Windham about taxes they were trying to collect, and he apparently misled them,” said Doak, who added that the village police department’s case was closed.

“The case came to our agency, and (a detective) was assigned that case ... We consulted with the prosecutors office and we were told to file it.”

Snyder, who lives at 9502 E. Center St., could not be reached for comment.

In 2007, Snyder was appointed to replace Councilman Jason DeBolt, who resigned at the end of 2006. Snyder was named president of council for 2008-2009.

Windham Mayor Robert Donham said he is reserving his judgment until the case has had its day in court.

“It is America. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” he said. “I would hope that if anyone else were in this situation, they would be given the benefit of doubt until proven.”

Donham said he hopes Snyder’s arrest does not tarnish the reputation of the local government or the locally elected officials.

“I hope it’s handled quickly so we can move past this,” he said. “If the allegations are true, certainly the punishment would be just.”

Angel Ballard, a former Windham councilwoman, called for Snyder to immediately resign his position on Village Council.

“If he wants to do the honorable thing, he will resign until this is resolved,” she said Saturday. “Then, he can run again. I don’t think he should burden the village or the council because it makes us all look bad.”

Ballard said she fears the alleged incident will damage the reputation of the village.

“It’s appalling and embarrassing,” she said. “The good old boys club needs to be shut down.”

26.	Posted by smartazz96 March 31, 2009
	ok as far as ignorance that is one thing i wouldnt call angel politicaly incorrect yes that she is but, i never thought i would see the day that windham would expect people to keep there opinion to themselves unless it serves the needs of the so called chosen ones in this community.and if you are going to repeat something someone says at least you could do is get it right.i know that because she has said her opinion she has been threatened and slandered. do you seee her complaining no cause no one has the guts to say anything to her face. so who is the cowards born of ignorance. a bunch of men thinking that if you disagree with them you are ignorant and have no value i guess you havent got my point yet THE STORY IS ABOUT PHIL NOT ABOUT ANGEL!!!!!!!!!but if you feel the need to show your ignorance go right ahead the good old boys club sure is trying hard to take the focus off phil for some reason what are you trying to hide. and just this morning i ask angel about what was being said about her and i loved her comment "she has been talked about worse by better just let them talk" so my hat is off to her for being the adult in this.

23.	Posted by angelbearsuzanne March 30, 2009
	First off I did not hear Angel Say or Shall I say Quote anything bad about Phil,And who are All you people on here anyway to Judge someone about the way they should live or clean,Only God can Judge anyone,was she putting anyone down(Phil) I Believe not,and the only reason why noone Else was interveiwed was because they wanted someone outside council with an honest opinion.Plus she is the one in this community with Balls to say anything not just to a reporter but to anyone.She tells it like she sees it.And as far as the Good old Boys Club,there is one and it does need to come to an End now.I Love how just because she stated something in the paper this is now about her,Give me a Break People grow up"You can tell this is Windham"And Everyone here in this town knows her and noone can talk bad to her face they do it behind her back..But the truth will prevail in this case,and then we will see if the Mayor and council take the right steps.