Trustees: Budget was basis for firing

The lock on the administrator's office door was changed over the weekend.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- The two trustees who voted to fire the longtime administrator say their decision was based on the township's financial direction.
"We really felt we were headed for a financial meltdown," said Trustee Kathy Miller.
Last week, Miller and Robyn Gallitto, trustees' chairwoman, voted to terminate the contract of Curt Seditz, administrator since 1996, without cause. He will receive six months' severance pay.
Trustee Elaine Mancini was opposed.
Seditz's contract was to run through this year, and his 2006 salary was to be about $78,100.
The lock on the administrator's office door was changed over the weekend.
"That's standard," Miller added.
Gallitto said that Christina Griffith, deputy administrator who has been appointed acting administrator, is preparing an advertisement for applicants to fill the job. It hasn't been decided where the advertisement will run or how wide the search area will be, she said.
Search for replacement
Miller said she doesn't have anyone in mind for the position, but she wants someone in the position who understands finances. She has requested copies of the applications for the Mahoning County budget director and administrator.
"We need someone who is going to be 100 percent for going forward and getting a handle on the budget," Gallitto said.
Both Gallitto and Miller referred to the issue of the township's decreasing revenues and increasing expenses.
As far as whether paying a person six-months' salary not to work falls in line with "getting a handle on the budget," Gallitto said that she didn't negotiate the contract with Seditz that provides that payment.
"If someone isn't 100 percent committed to a vision and moving forward, I'm not sure you're getting your money's worth anyway," she added.
Both also downplayed the effects on the morale of the township's 180-some employees.
"I think people have concerns about the township that are separate and apart from us," Miller said.
Last month, Police Chief Jeffrey Patterson wrote a memorandum to Seditz, citing what he called a hostile work environment and referring to some recent actions of the two trustees.
A week later, the police department's fraternal wing sent Patterson a letter of "support and confidence" and said that the two trustees' actions have had a "detrimental effect on the operations of our agency."
Both Miller and Gallitto said that change can be difficult.
"I think it's a very small group of people who are not happy," Gallitto said.