CONNEAUT — “Frustration” that grew during the past few weeks prompted Edward Somppi to step down as Conneaut’s interim city manager, he said Friday, his last day on the job

Somppi, during a lengthy interview, also strongly denied his sudden departure — coming with two months left on his contract — was prompted by political pressure or ill health.

Instead, Somppi cited a negative attitude he said hampered his ability to do his job.

“I felt myself becoming ineffective,” he said. “That led to terrific frustration.”

Somppi, 60, a lifelong city resident, was hired in late May to oversee the city while council searched for a full-time replacement for Douglas Lewis, the city’s third, full-time manager.

Somppi served one three-month term to much public acclaim.

“I saw chaos (in local government) and I wanted to right the ship,” he said. “I think we accomplished that in the first 90 days.”

Council, pleased with Somppi’s performance, offered another three-month contract last month. It was accepted — and that was probably a mistake, Somppi said. Critics of the administration and its policies quickly began to surface, as did the “sniping” and “back-biting,” he said.

“The negativity has built since the signing of the second contract,” he said. “I shouldn’t have taken the second 90 days.”

Somppi also staunchly defended his handling of the SGR Site Associates contract now in second reading before council. The measure, coming under increasing council scrutiny, would sell 159 acres of the municipally-owned East Conneaut Industrial Park to a firm that would use the land and adjoining, privately-owned parcels to create a 2,500-acre tract for a possible wind farm.

The SGR situation predates Somppi’s arrival, but the ordinance was drawn and introduced during his tenure. Council has the final say on the matter.

The wind farm idea gives Conneaut “the opportunity to get on the cutting edge” of the alternative energy boom, he said.

“If (council) doesn’t want to business with SGR, fine,” Somppi said. “But what’s the backup plan?”

Somppi denied mutterings in the community that his involvement in the SGR issue was politically motivated.

“I was never under political pressure or allow myself to be under political pressure,” he said. “Nothing could be further from the truth. I didn’t come into this job as a Democrat or a Republican. Ed has been a maverick his entire life. Nobody is telling me what to do in this office.