Wednesday, September 01, 1999
Ludlow mayor won't back down
Some on council want Stacy out
BY JANE PRENDERGAST
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LUDLOW — This city's embattled mayor, under increasing pressure to resign, says he won't give up his post.
Rumors have buzzed around Ludlow for months that some council members wanted Mayor Tom Stacy out of City Hall. But not until Monday night did the mayor himself hear it directly from a councilman, Ron Wofford. The mayor says he hasn't done anything wrong and won't buckle under the pressure.
“I grew up here, I have two kids who go to school here, I love this place,” Mr. Stacy said Tuesday. “I won't turn my back on the people.”
But that likely won't be the end of it. Councilwoman Janet Rohan said she and her colleagues are going to have to talk about possible steps to remove the mayor. Mr. Wofford wasn't officially representing the others when he asked Mr. Stacy to quit, she said. But she thinks four, if not all five, of the council members would go along with the idea.
“There's so much dissension that you just can't get anywhere,” she said. “It's not workable. It's really not. I just don't know how to remedy it. Unless they want five members of council to resign.”
The council meets in special session tonight to vote on the proposed budget.
Mr. Wofford and Mr. Stacy met Monday night at Mr. Wofford's house. During the meeting, the councilman said he would publicly embarrass the mayor if he didn't quit, Mr. Stacy said. Mr. Wofford did not return calls for comment Tuesday. Mr. Stacy and various members of the council have been at odds since his election in November — over various things, including the hiring of special counsel, Robert Carran, to advise the city on financial matters. The mayor vetoed the ordinance, then council overrode the veto. One councilwoman, Mrs. Rohan, said she approved hiring the lawyer, in addition to City Attorney Pete Summe, because the mayor wouldn't keep council abreast of what was going on in the city.
The current controversy comes in the midst of others plaguing the city of 4,500. Among them:
• Ongoing negotiations with City Administrator Mike Moehlman, who has been on leave for months. The council and Mr. Moehlman's lawyer have been trying to hash out a severance agreement.
• A grand jury investigation into the financial dealings of the city's volunteer fire department and its charitable bingo games. Records have been subpoenaed, but no action yet taken. Councilman Gary Hatter Sr. is a supervisor in the fire department.
Mr. Wofford also may be upset over fliers being circulated around the city that talk about Ludlow's discussions about selling its water system to Kenton County. A citizen, Dave Jasper, said Mr. Wofford confronted him about the fliers Tuesday. Mr. Jasper acknowledged passing some out, but said he thinks it's his right to do so. Mr. Jasper filed a report with police about Mr. Wofford's actions, but no charges were filed.
Prosecutor: Sheriff broke law when he sued Democratic Party
Thousands gather for vision of Mary
Ballpark job complex
Mary Love's killer could get death penalty
Death of infant begs for answers
Executive shot by son expected to recover fully
New rules on car seats begin today
A new tool in the search for breast cancer
Jury works on case of fliers
Second woman sues over employee dunking
Street succumbing to retail sprawl
Two CPS schools reborn
Annual luncheon celebrates survivors
Boutique caters to all women's health
Orange barrels demand a polka
T-shirt launches Tall Stacks poster
Art museum director plans outreach
Cincinnati's Century of Change
GET TO IT
Tristate scene: Gravelrama in Cleves
Summer promos can predict network bombs
Assault charge violated rights, suit says
Beiting steps down as chairman
Bicycle lanes to open in township
Cell-phone calls credited with limiting fire damage Fire damages antiques shop
Centenarian still raring to go
Comments sought on Ky. 16 plans
County leans on insurer to pay man for wreck
Discipline urged against officer
Farm too small for inquiry in death
Fluor Daniel must submit bid to finish Fernald cleanup
Laurel Homes residents fear displacement
Ludlow mayor won't back down
Man accused of kidnapping ex-wife
Northwest retiree takes post at Badin
Norwood man charged after traffic death
Pesticide found in garbage truck
Rose's ex-bookie accused of roughing up Springboro officer
Teller shot, wounded in West Carrollton bank robbery
Trenton school upgrades begin
TRISTATE DIGEST
United Way goal for N.Ky.: $3.5M
Ways to lessen airport noise being studied
