Friday, April 27, 2001
City officials say the police chief got belligerent during a budget meeting.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
and AMANDA DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Police Chief John Mandopoulos' blue Superman shirt couldn't save him from being thrown out of city hall.
The chief, who has been seen wearing the shirt to work this week, said he was asked to leave after he asked several questions during a budget review meeting Tuesday.
"I was told to leave and was told I am not allowed back until I get a letter in writing from Fred Harris," Mandopoulos said Thursday.
"One of the reasons I am wearing the shirt is because if my department doesn't get more money to operate, we are going to need a few superheroes around here."
What happened: Mayor Hank Angelo and Harris, the safety-service director, say Mandopoulos was asked to leave the meeting when he got belligerent.
Auditor David Griffing said there was an argument.
He said the chief showed up without a copy of his budget and without answers to administrators' questions. "He was unprepared and unprofessional," Griffing said.
Mandopoulos is upset with the budget review committee appointed by Angelo more than a year ago, consisting of Harris; Griffing; deputy auditor Nancy Ruggieri; an administrative coordinator; and Robert Stahl, superintendent of operations.
Griffing said Mandopoulos "challenged" Stahl, but the auditor did not elaborate.
Chief's view: "I have a problem with the superintendent of the operations department handling my budget," Mandopoulos said.
"I went to the meeting to get educated on the budget and they got mad at me for asking questions. I never thought I had a problem with Fred Harris, but I guess he has one with me."
The chief said he got upset because he couldn't get anyone to answer questions he has about the budget.
"I'm not trying to be smart but I am just trying to understand this budget process and I can't get anyone to answer my questions. They tell me they are unhappy with my overtime costs, but I am doing what I can to protect the city."
The chief said he will not go back to city hall until he hears from Harris.
"They will need me before I will need them," he said. "If there is an emergency I guess they will have to fax the letter to 911."
Response: The mayor and Harris said the chief is allowed in city hall for all official business.
"If he is ordered to come to city hall, then he better come whether he gets a letter or not," Angelo said.
Four years ago Mandopoulos, then a captain, was told by then-Chief Albert Timko that he was not allowed to go city hall after Mandopoulos had a disagreement with Angelo.