BY ANDREA TORTORA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT WRIGHT -- In less than a month the mayor and city administrator of this city have resigned and the police chief was placed on suspension without pay.
But residents said Saturday that the turmoil at City Hall is not causing much concern in their everyday lives.
"I think this is a nice place to live, but all the stuff that's going on doesn't really mean much to me," said Jim Sandul, 24, as he bought pastries at the Fort Wright Thriftway.
Trouble started when former Police Officer Julie Walker criticized Chief Mark Brown for allegedly threatening her after she claimed sexual discrimination by officers in the department.
Chief Brown's status -- on leave with pay since May 11 -- was changed to suspension without pay on June 11, after former City Administrator Marc Bergman filed administrative charges against him.
Mr. Bergman recommended that Chief Brown be fired.
Mayor Cindy Pinto had scheduled a hearing for June 20 to get council's input on the matter, even though it is not required by law. In a Kentucky city with a mayor-council form of government, the mayor has the sole authority to hire, fire and discipline employees.
But on June 15, Mrs. Pinto resigned, citing personal reasons. She had earlier acknowledged having "a very close working relationship" with both Mr. Bergman and Chief Brown.
The hearing for Chief Brown was postponed and council then appointed Councilman Paul Hiltz to complete Mrs. Pinto's term.
On Wednesday, Mr. Bergman resigned, effective Sept. 1. He will remain with the city as a consultant until then.
Mr. Bergman cited personal reasons and the fact that when he was hired four years ago, it was with the understanding that he would work with Mrs. Pinto.
Meanwhile, Chief Brown is still on suspension, awaiting a hearing. The chief faces charges of inefficiency, abusive or obscene language, immoral or improper conduct and discourtesy to the public or fellow employees.
Several Fort Wright residents who did not want to give their names Saturday said they did not know enough about what was happening at City Hall to have an opinion on the matter. A handful of residents from Fort Mitchell and Park Hills said they were glad their own cities were not in the same predicament.
Diane Eilerman, 45, of Fort Wright, said she thinks the political upheaval is giving Fort Wright a bad reputation.
"I think basically that we are a good, strong city," Mrs. Eilerman said as she finished shopping at the Fort Wright Walgreens.
