Bellaire councilman yells, calls River News Network ‘Fake News’ at meeting

BELLAIRE, Ohio – Bellaire Councilman Jerry Olack claims River News Network misquoted him in an Oct. 10 article concerning the Bellaire water board’s approach to water department personnel issues, denying that he compared to the department to an ‘asylum.’

Olack, who is also chair of the Bellaire water board, appeared angry and confronted River News Network News Director Karen Fatula immediately after the Thursday, Oct. 17 Village of Bellaire council meeting.

Olack repeatedly yelled that River News Network was ‘fake news.”

you’re fake news! you’re a liar!

Jerry Olack, Village of Bellaire council member & water board chairman

At the Oct. 10 water board meeting, Olack, Bellaire told members that the water department must be run like a business and have a “hierarchy.” He said the department is disorganized and compared it to an “asylum.”

the inmates are running the asylum.

Jerry Olack, Village of Bellaire council member & water board chairman at Oct. 10 water meeting

When confronting River News Network after the council meeting on Oct. 17, Olack repeatedly referred to himself in the third person as he denied the quote.

jerry olack didn’t say that!

Jerry Olack, Village of Bellaire council member & water board chairman

When asked if he was indeed Jerry Olack, he confirmed that he was but again said, “Jerry Olack didn’t say that!”

Olack said he has five or six witnesses who agree that he did not say this.

River News Network stands by the accuracy of its reporting.

When asked, Olack said he did not know when the next water board meeting would be held and refused to provide his phone number to check back on the date. He said to call the mayor’s office. On Oct. 18, River News Network called the Village of Bellaire water department, who referred us back to Olack.

Follow River News Network as we report on the Village of Bellaire and its water board.