LAST DAY ON THE JOB

By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

September 06, 2008 05:39 am

— 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.
“I always do what’s best for the city of Conneaut,” he said.
Somppi was also bothered that as city manager he couldn’t assist everyone who asked for help.
“I found out you can’t fix everything,” he said. “Sometimes you have to say no. That wore on me, also.”
The resignation has had some good effects, motivating council to find a full-time manager and also spurring some people to denounce the government turmoil. “I call them the silent majority,” Somppi said.
Four months in City Hall proved “very educational,” providing “a deep understanding of the city departments,” he said.
Somppi applauded the city’s department supervisors and employees for their desire and assistance.
“They’re a dedicated group of people,” he said. “The staff has been super to me. They’ve supported me from day one.”
Somppi said he took the manager’s job to show his gratitude to Conneaut residents for the backing they’ve shown him while he held a variety of public sector in the city and county.
“I love the people there,” he said. “They’ve always supported me. It was an opportunity to say thank you.”