Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance Accountability topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wilmington council authorizes outside legal counsel after public calls for independent review
Summary
After several residents urged an independent investigation into allegations against Mayor Patrick Haley, Wilmington City Council voted to hire additional legal counsel. Speakers at public comment urged due process, an independent review and protection for city employees; the mayor said he would provide documentation and cooperate.
Wilmington City Council on Thursday approved a resolution authorizing the council to hire outside legal counsel after a night of public comments calling for an independent review of allegations involving the mayor.
Residents used the meeting's public-comment period to press the council for an outside investigation and for steps to preserve public trust. Elaine Silverstrom, who said she lives at 71 Rita Place, urged an independent review board and suggested the mayor consider administrative leave, saying, “public trust is something once lost, it's hard to regain.”
Jason Stoops, who identified himself as a local business owner, urged review by a neutral outside agency and cited what he called a pattern of “far ranging and deeply rooted culture issues” in city administration. Kelsey Swindler, who said she has attended community events with city leaders, asked the council to “take these allegations seriously and support further investigation” and to chart its own course in working with the police department and local service organizations.
Mayor Patrick Haley addressed the chamber during his remarks and said he was willing to bring documentation and explanations to the council. “I would like to have that opportunity rather than being condemned for some things I haven't done,” Haley said, adding he would avoid violating confidentiality but would present records where possible.
Other city officials addressed related issues raised in public comment. Service Director Don Crow said the city restored a certificate of occupancy for an emergency shelter after an investigation and said the shelter operator had admitted breaking rules; he also described the zoning appeal process available to affected businesses. Safety Director (Mr.) Eveland reported the police department participated in an undercover operation with the sheriff’s office and the Ohio Department of Liquor Control that resulted in citations and announced the city will reinstitute a summer bike patrol.
On a 7–0 roll-call vote, council passed Resolution 25-25, “authorizing Wilmington city council to hire additional legal counsel and declaring an emergency.” Councilman Don Wells moved the resolution; Councilman Osborne seconded. The vote was recorded as: Knowles, Nanstedt, Tolliver, Slabaugh, Snarr, Wells and Osborne — all voting yes. The resolution passed as an emergency measure; council leadership said members will report further at the next council meeting in early June.
The public commenters framed the night as a test of process and transparency. Several urged that the city both preserve due process for employees and pursue independent fact-finding so community confidence can be restored. Council took the immediate step of hiring outside counsel; further investigative or procedural steps were not specified in the meeting record.
