By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEBANON - Two board members of Warren County's Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities agency have quit amid a squabble over hiring a full-time superintendent.

Both members, Cathy Hamilton and Sonya Staffan, declined Tuesday to discuss the dispute.

In e-mails to MRDD Superintendent John Lazarus, Staffan quit March 4 and Hamilton announced her decision to go Monday. "I am having a very, very difficult time here with this whole issue," said Hamilton, 53, of Mason. She pledged to keep working for people with disabilities.

Staffan, 40, of Lebanon, said she resigned to spend more time with relatives, including an ailing grandfather and her child with special needs.

She was the seven-member board's secretary.

"I just feel that I could use my time better right now," she said.

Warren County Commissioners appointed Staffan and Probate Judge Mike Powell appointed Hamilton to the MRDD board in 2000 after it came under fire over two houses that officials bought at well above market value.

The board and top administrators were pushed out. MRDD's new leaders have been credited with overhauling the agency but there has been debate over whether a full-time superintendent is needed.

Lazarus is paid $26,000 a year to oversee the agency on a part-time basis.

But he has excellent staff in place to run MRDD, Commissioner Mike Kilburn said Tuesday, adding that the part-time superintendent slot saves the county about $100,000 a year in administrative salaries.

Lazarus also serves as superintendent of the Warren County Educational Service Center and superintendent of Warren County Alternative School.

Both MRDD board members will be replaced soon if their resignations stand, Kilburn said.

"I've heard about the disharmony on the board but that's for them to work out," Kilburn said. "It would be nice if people would come to their appointing authority and have a discussion before they resign.

"The votes just weren't there to move forward for new direction and I think that frustrated some individuals on the board," he added. "But, hey, welcome to the club. I stay frustrated sometimes, too. But you have to go on if you don't have a second vote."

Lazarus said Tuesday the MRDD board has been working "fine," adding that he hadn't heard of "any controversy."

"Both of them did a great job on the board and were a big help to us. I hate to see them go but I understand," he said. "It is time-consuming."

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com.