This article is brought to you courtesy of the Weekly Record Herald and can be found in the February 8, 2011 edition of the paper.
By Clint Haggart
Record Herald Writer
West Milton – Following a lengthy executive session on a personnel issue at the Feb. 8 West Milton Council meeting, in which no legislative action was taken, a number of residents and others concerned with the saving the dam on the Stillwater River may ask for a recall on certain councilors.
Council voted to enter executive session at 7:39 p.m. and returned without a decision at 10:08 p.m. Rumor amongst those who waited during the executive session was that council was discussing the termination of Town Manager Tony Howard’s contract. After the council meeting adjourned, a couple West Milton residents and several members of the ‘Save the Dam’ group, upset with Howard’s continued employment, said they were going to pursue recalls against councilors Deborah Miller, Tim Benkert and Jason Tinnerman. According to Bill Netzley, who was re-appointed to the planning board earlier in the meeting, the group will go to the board of elections in the very near future to see about the recall process.
Netzley explained the group of residents, of which he is one, and ‘Save the Dam’ supporters want to get rid of the town manager, but council must have a four plus one vote in favor of the action to remove Howard. The group believes Howard hand-picked for appointment each of the councilors they want recalled and those councilors won’t vote in favor of his removal for that reason.
In an interview, Howard said he couldn’t comment if rumors about the executive session subject were true. About the group’s suggestion he hand-picked councilors, he said Miller was elected by residents of the village of West Milton two years ago and her term of office is until Dec. 12, 2013. In Benkert and Tinnerman’s case, Howard said council asked him to help find potential candidates to fill empty council member positions. Benkert was the only one who applied when former councilor Howard DeHart passed away. Tinnerman, he explained, was one of four candidates interviewed by the mayor and council for a position left empty when the former mayor resigned and Pat Grim advanced to mayor from her council position. Howard said the four candidates were people approached by council members, residents and himself at council’s request.
The Miami County Board of Elections could not be reached at press time for a description of the recall process.
Water Woes
West Milton Council voted to redistribute the 10 percent portion of incoming water revenue from the capital fund to the operating fund. Previously 90 percent of water revenue went into operating costs, with ten going to capital. While the motion does not allow for the existing capital funds to be removed, 100 percent of water revenue will now be put into operating costs. Howard explained the decision will remain permanent until council decides to raise water rates or purchase cheaper water.
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