Why must people continue to pick on our new mayor. So what that she has turned the mayor's job into a near full time position with benifits. So what that she lied when she said no one in the village has been laid off to pay for her benifits. So what that she has taken over the clerks office and now the clerk can handle my personal business in the hallway. I'm sure that when we elected a mayor, we assumed that weeding gardens around town(everyone else gave of their time freely to do the same that saturday) was part of her job description and should be included in her weekly hours to justify her and her husbands insurance. I can hardly wait to see what happens next in this continuing saga. Village council had best do their job and give her a taste of reality. Maybe you should start by looking for an attorney that isn't in the Mayors hip pocket. The monarchy is dead. Thank god we have a democratic government. Maybe she will soon realize that working together with council will go alot further than her promoting her own agenda, then maybe we will back off a bit. Just maybe though, she is so easy to find fault with and leaves herself open to comments that I doubt that this will be the last you here from me. We can hope, but her track record has been established in her first months of office.

Also, why is our new mayor in the office after hours with a former village employee? I think that someone who is not a village official has absolutely no business in that office after hours. I don't know about you, but I am concerned for the privacy of the residents' personal information!

The new building does have an elevator and it's just my opinion, but before a recall election effort is considered, it might be beneficial for village residents to learn more about the operation of their village by viewing public records and attending meetings.

Almost everything is public record, and many questions could probably be answered either through public records or asking.

The office the Mayor took over belongs to the clerk. Since the clerk no longer has an office, where are my personal tax records, on the counter in the reception area. Where do I talk to the clerk about a personal matter, say I have problems paying my taxes, in the lobby, on the street? I'm sure the new clerk didn't expect this when she took office. I think its time for a recall election. Maybe she took over that office because she was too lazy to climb the stairs to the second floor where the Mayors office is.

dp,

good point. who signs off on these types of bills?? The mayor... Hmmm conflic of interest... Sign us all up.... hee hee

Wow...how did I miss all of this? I usually keep up with all of the Mantua news. What a selfish person the new mayor is. My heart goes out to the 2 dispatchers laid off, hopefully they will find employment quickly.

dp has a good point...they can certainly offer insurance to her, but do they have to PAY hers? How many mayors have there been previous to her that have worked MORE than 25 hrs a week, but did it because it was part of the job and didn't demand things. Hopefully in the next election, the village sees this monster for what she is and gets rid of her!

It says "...the village is obligated by Ohio law to OFFER health care coverage to village employees..." but, by law, does the village HAVE to PAY for the OFFERED coverage?

Couldn't this be considered theft in office if a person is taking benefits not due to the person?? Why can't she be recalled if the voters of the district are not satisfied?? Mantua is not a village big enough to handle the cost of these added benefits and in retrospect lose it spolice force?? Come on mayor wake up. What is more important??

The village council members must see to that she holds the office as oppointed not create her own agenda of time. She and her husband (which) is on council, knew full well that their was NO fringe benefits, and yet council is allowing this when MORE important matters MUST be addressed.

So convienent, push your way into this position with lies to the voters, you had this planned all the time while you were preaching to the voters. Deny her the insurance.

Until the voters vote to have the mayor position full time, or that passing by the voters an amendment to the charter that a part-time mayor will have benefits, then she does not have the right to benefits. And see to it that she works below 25hrs council, because if she is not held accountable as she claims she has worked, then it is ONLY her word that she is. This job description is outlined when you are running for office. No excuse for this crap.

Giles Seith you do not have to do it. Who is the overseeing in all this???

Below is the article RC



Printed March 28, 08

By Don Jovich
Record-Courier staff writer
MANTUA " Mayor Donna Hawkins believes the village should, by law, provide her with health care coverage, but members of Village Council disagree.
According to Village Solicitor Tom Reitz, the village is obligated by Ohio law to offer health care coverage to village employees who work 25 hours or more per week.
Hawkins took office in January. Although the position is listed as part time, Hawkins said she exceeds 25 hours per week performing her duties. She is paid $300 per month.
Council President Jim Rogers said council never envisioned the position as being a 25-hour per week job. No council member or any mayor has ever been given health insurance, he said.
"We ran for office because we wanted to change things," he said. "This is what motivates us."
Hawkins said even before the November election, she believed health insurance coverage was something the position offered. Her husband, Roger Hawkins, is a member of council.
"I'm happy to do my job and the citizens have been very supportive of my administration," she said.
Reitz recently circulated a legal opinion that supports the mayor's position.
Under the Ohio Revised Code, "eligible employee" means an employee who works a normal work week of 25 or more hours. These employees, according to Reitz, have a vested right to participate in the municipal medical insurance program.
Some council members disagreed, stating the cost of health coverage, about $700 per month, is more than the village is able to afford.
"The village is in debt," Councilwoman Linda Schilling said. "We can't afford it."
Schilling said Hawkins' predecessor, Mayor Claude Hopkins, never requested health care coverage.
Councilman Giles Seith said it is very difficult to justify the expenditure.
"It strikes me as totally wrong," he said. "But we have to do it."
Seith said Hawkins spent roughly $1,000 for the solicitor's legal opinion without notifying council.
"She didn't tell anyone," he said. "It's a screwed-up deal."
With Hawkins' salary plus health insurance, Rogers said the village will pay out $12,000 to her annually. "It's sad that it comes to this," he said.

I am sure they are speaking about the village of Mantua. Where the mayor spent monies not authorized by council to see if she could get health insurance. The mayor also renovated an office in the village hall so she could make it into her new office. I didn't understand that one. The village offices aren't that old and she comes in takes over another office and started tearing out cabinets. Why in the world would you tear up something that is a couple of years old. The police department has had to make huge cuts. First the employees were asked the give up their insurance. It doesn't make sense when the mayor wants insurance for a part-time job and full time employees are being asked to give up their insurance. Two full-time dispatchers got the ax this past week and officers are in jeopardy also. I think the mayor must do some sole searching and ask herself if she is in it for the village or is she in it for herself. Step up mayor, because we can not afford to lose an of our officers. I don't want to have a part time police protection. I live in the village and pay taxes just like everyone else and I want the best for the village.