VISITORS BUREAU Board: Member should resign

The board member says he will not step down.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The Trumbull County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board called for the resignation of board member Bill Kruppa, calling him disruptive and antagonistic to the organization.
Kruppa, who was appointed to the board three months ago, walked out of the meeting before the vote was held. Earlier this week, he called the bureau "worthless" and said he thought it should be closed down.
"He is obstinate, he is the worst thing I've ever seen on the board. He is trying to make a sham out of what we are doing," said board chairman Richard Alberini. "This guy continually caused problems with everything."
Previously, Kruppa went to the press because he said he was denied information about the board's operation from staff. He said he was also angered that the bureau did not have a booth at the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic as in past years, despite paying a $27,500 sponsorship fee.
Member's comments
Contacted by phone today, he said he would "absolutely not" resign.
"Somebody has to answer how the taxpayers' money is spent -- it is not spent wisely," Kruppa said. "They are putting a smoke screen on it, saying I'm combative, but I still don't get any information, I don't get anything."
He said he left the meeting because he thought business was complete.
The vote on the resolution calling for Kruppa to resign was supported by five board members. Fran Wilson abstained, and Kruppa and Ken Kubala were not present.
Wilson said she did not support the resolution because she thought it was unfair that Kruppa was not there to defend himself. Also, because Kruppa was appointed by county commissioners, she felt the board should have taken their issues with Kruppa to the commissioners.
However, she said she did not approve Kruppa's use of the press to air grievances against the board.
"Some of the time he was disruptive, but there were reasons for him to do that," she said.
Discussed removal
Before the vote calling for Kruppa's resignation, the board discussed whether it could remove Kruppa on its own authority. Board member Fran Wilson said she opposed that idea, because it was not something addressed in board regulations.
The bureau has been in limbo for the last few weeks, with an uncertain future. Earlier this year, commissioners decided to stop giving money to the bureau, leaving it to get through 2004 on savings. A few weeks ago, on the same day results of a $15,000 state audit were released with no major findings against the bureau, commissioners voted to cancel their contract with the organization for next year.
The bureau hopes to renegotiate a new contract. Commissioners also are seeking proposals from other organizations interested in promoting the county.