Council wants Strong on leave

By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

August 18, 2008 10:45 pm

— ASHTABULA — A city councilwoman suggested Monday night the city manager place the housing director on a paid administrative leave.
Ward 3 Councilwoman Ericka Severino made the suggestion after council talked at length about state and local law-enforcement officers investigating the housing department. She pointed out that housing inspector James DelPriore is on leave over allegations of misuse of a computer, while housing director Jason Strong is still working.
“But if we recommend it, (City Manager Anthony Cantagallo) doesn’t have to do so. It’s his choice,” Severino said.
The 30-minute discussion began with Ward 1 Councilman Joseph Rose moving to have an outside investigation of the housing department, as opposed to the Ashtabula Police Department’s detective bureau conducting it.
Severino said council agreed to have the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation look into the city’s housing department and its director. In fact, she and City Auditor Michael Zullo recently met with City Solicitor Michael Franklin about what documents the city needed to forward to the BCII, she said.
Franklin said he gave the documents, including paperwork regarding a housing grant, to police investigators.
Vice president Betty Kist repeatedly asked Franklin questions about the pending investigations and getting copies of the documents to council.
Most of the documents are public records, and anyone can request copies, Franklin said.
When members of the audience started to mumble about the ensuing discussion, Severino said, “We’re obligated, as council, to stay on top of issues.”
Newly sworn-in President Rodger Altier said he wanted to be excused from any vote on the issue because he doesn’t yet know enough about it.