Posted by (+3) 12 years ago
In just over a week Douglas City Hall's problems spread outside the police department as two more department heads were put on administrative leave, a new investigation is in the works, and a request for a restraining order has been filed.
City Administrator Steve Henning on April 29 placed Deputy City Administrator Forrest Neuerburg on administrative leave with pay. The action follows an earlier decision (April 27) when he placed City Clerk/Treasurer Kori Pray on administrative leave with pay. However, immediately following Pray's leave, she filed a request for a restraining order against Henning in Circuit Court.
"She did that within hours after I put her on administrative leave," Henning said. "It's absolutely retaliation with (former Police Chief) Ryan (Evans), Kori and Forrest. It's a shame, but some people want to play hardball. There is no truth to any of this."
According to Circuit Court documents, Pray has accused Henning of threatening to kill her and of attempting to end her career, grabbing her arm and keeping her in an isolated room despite her protests. Pray has requested the court to order Henning to stay away from her home or "anywhere I am." While the order is not yet official, it is in affect until May 6 when a hearing is set.
Pray could not be reached for comment.
The same day Pray's order was requested, the Douglas City Council confirmed Henning's actions regarding her and Neuerburg and decided to undertake an investigation at City Hall. Neuerburg's leave is pending the outcome of the investigation, Henning said. Neuerburg could not be reached for comment.
Henning said the investigation likely will be conducted externally.
The news comes in the wake of the city's firing of Police Chief Ryan Evans and suspension of two officers April 25.
All of that has put the city in a difficult situation this spring because Pray had many responsibilities concerning the city's budgeting process, which is currently taking place. The budget must be complete by July 1.
Henning has recommended Deputy City Clerk Karen Rimmer as city clerk. The dual position of clerk/treasurer will be split back into two jobs as it was before Pray was hired, and a new or interim treasurer could take the job as soon as this week, Henning said Monday. (Former City Treasurer Jan Lampert has been hired by Henning as of Tuesday to fill in temporarily.)
"We're not creating a new position. We're putting it back," Henning said. "I'm in discussions with individuals who can come in during the short term for a replacement, but we may go out for a full replacement."
As of Tuesday, the council (minus Mayor Bruce Jones, who was out of town) held its fourth executive session in just over a week to discuss the investigation. Council President Marilyn Werner is acting mayor in Jones' absence, according to Rimmer.
Wener said the council did not take any action following the behind-closed-doors Skype session with City Attorney Peggy Trent.
Henning declined to comment about why Pray or Neuerburg were put on suspension.
Neuerburg has been deputy city administrator since September 2010, which was an advance from his previous position at the city as community development director and earlier as interim city administrator before Henning was hired.
While his future with the city is pending the outcome of the investigation, Neuerburg already was set to resume as community development director at the city July 1 and voluntarily leave the post as deputy city administrator.
Pray was appointed as treasurer in August 2010 by then-interim City Administrator Neuerburg after Lampert retired from the position. Last fall, the city combined the clerk and treasurer positions as a cost-cutting measure after the former clerk, the late Cheryl Ewing, announced her retirement from the city.
City Administrator Steve Henning on April 29 placed Deputy City Administrator Forrest Neuerburg on administrative leave with pay. The action follows an earlier decision (April 27) when he placed City Clerk/Treasurer Kori Pray on administrative leave with pay. However, immediately following Pray's leave, she filed a request for a restraining order against Henning in Circuit Court.
"She did that within hours after I put her on administrative leave," Henning said. "It's absolutely retaliation with (former Police Chief) Ryan (Evans), Kori and Forrest. It's a shame, but some people want to play hardball. There is no truth to any of this."
According to Circuit Court documents, Pray has accused Henning of threatening to kill her and of attempting to end her career, grabbing her arm and keeping her in an isolated room despite her protests. Pray has requested the court to order Henning to stay away from her home or "anywhere I am." While the order is not yet official, it is in affect until May 6 when a hearing is set.
Pray could not be reached for comment.
The same day Pray's order was requested, the Douglas City Council confirmed Henning's actions regarding her and Neuerburg and decided to undertake an investigation at City Hall. Neuerburg's leave is pending the outcome of the investigation, Henning said. Neuerburg could not be reached for comment.
Henning said the investigation likely will be conducted externally.
The news comes in the wake of the city's firing of Police Chief Ryan Evans and suspension of two officers April 25.
All of that has put the city in a difficult situation this spring because Pray had many responsibilities concerning the city's budgeting process, which is currently taking place. The budget must be complete by July 1.
Henning has recommended Deputy City Clerk Karen Rimmer as city clerk. The dual position of clerk/treasurer will be split back into two jobs as it was before Pray was hired, and a new or interim treasurer could take the job as soon as this week, Henning said Monday. (Former City Treasurer Jan Lampert has been hired by Henning as of Tuesday to fill in temporarily.)
"We're not creating a new position. We're putting it back," Henning said. "I'm in discussions with individuals who can come in during the short term for a replacement, but we may go out for a full replacement."
As of Tuesday, the council (minus Mayor Bruce Jones, who was out of town) held its fourth executive session in just over a week to discuss the investigation. Council President Marilyn Werner is acting mayor in Jones' absence, according to Rimmer.
Wener said the council did not take any action following the behind-closed-doors Skype session with City Attorney Peggy Trent.
Henning declined to comment about why Pray or Neuerburg were put on suspension.
Neuerburg has been deputy city administrator since September 2010, which was an advance from his previous position at the city as community development director and earlier as interim city administrator before Henning was hired.
While his future with the city is pending the outcome of the investigation, Neuerburg already was set to resume as community development director at the city July 1 and voluntarily leave the post as deputy city administrator.
Pray was appointed as treasurer in August 2010 by then-interim City Administrator Neuerburg after Lampert retired from the position. Last fall, the city combined the clerk and treasurer positions as a cost-cutting measure after the former clerk, the late Cheryl Ewing, announced her retirement from the city.