Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Mayor?’s behavior criticized in Pickerington
Councilmen say he mistreats employees

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Kirk D . Richards

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Pickerington Mayor David Shaver said clinical depression has not prevented him from serving as a public official.

Some Pickerington City Council members who supported the election of Mayor David Shaver in 2003 are now portraying him as a man who loses his cool with employees and thinks that everyone is out to get him.

Councilmen Ted Hackworth and Brian Wisniewski said the behavior has strained employees?’ relationship with a mayor whose vision for the city they largely support.

While City Council meetings seem as peaceful as ever, recent e-mails from Shaver show that he has sparred with various officials, including City Manager Judy Gilleland, whom he helped pick for the job.

In some e-mails to Gilleland, Shaver inquired about his ability to fire a secretary he suspected of leaking information about him to council members.

''I cannot be sure of the discretion of any employee at City Hall,'' Shaver wrote on Jan. 18 to Gilleland. ''It seems the employees can safely make up anything they wish about an elected official and have an audience.''

On Feb. 1, at 9:41 a.m., he sent a message to Gilleland implying that he might soon end his life: ''Tell Brian W. he gets his wish. He gets to be mayor. I do not want anyone from the city to attend my services.''

In an interview, Shaver acknowledged that he has battled clinical depression since 1996 and that he sometimes has episodes. But overall, he said, he does not think that the depression hinders his ability to serve as a lawyer and public official.

''I take medication and I go to therapy and I take care of myself physically,'' Shaver said. ''There are going to be up and down periods.''

Shaver said his political allies-turned-adversaries are engaged in a witch hunt to perhaps deflect his criticism of them.

He said a falling out occurred after he objected to the council?’s decision to dump Heidi Riggs as council president and install Wisniewski. He said Riggs was given no warning.

Wisniewski said Riggs seemed too interested in ''pampering the mayor'' and ''would not stand up to the mayor.''

He also said Gilleland has been diverted from city business to tend to Shaver.

''She?’s run over to his (law) office trying to get him calmed down,'' Wisniewski said.

Staff members are affected the most, he said.

''Some city employees have ended up in tears because of the way the mayor has acted at times,'' Wisniewski said. ''They are paid to do a job and shouldn?’t have to deal with all that garbage.''

Shaver said he rarely has contact with city employees and said he is being unfairly criticized by anonymous sources who might be disgruntled.

Continued

Looney Tunes Vol #1 cont.

Gilleland declined to comment other than to say she might answer questions at a later time.

Riggs said people should cut Shaver some slack.

''The mayor has gone through some difficult personal issues,'' she said. ''I will support the mayor, no matter what he needs.''

After the November election, it appeared that the mayor?’s support on the council would be at its highest level. One detractor on the council lost, another didn?’t seek re-election and three newcomers promoted Shaver?’s slow-growth philosophy.

Councilman Michael Sabatino, a Shaver critic who was reelected, said he understands why the mayor is now so frustrated.

''What has happened is (Shaver) no longer has four automatic votes,'' Sabatino said. ''He used to be able to dictate what he wanted.''

Shaver recently sent out an email to council members from his personal account apologizing if he offended anyone. He thinks the rift will not harm the passage of legislation he favors.

''I?’ve done my best to reconcile with everyone,'' the mayor said. ''I?’m not going to apologize for having strong opinions.''

krichards@dispatch.com

Let's Cut Him Some Slack

I agree with Heidi. Let's cut Dave some slack.

He had the courage to speak up for our issues on city council when he was the only one doing so. He led our successful effort to reclaim city council for the citizens of this community in 1993. He has not wavered in his support for managed growth. And he is our friend.

I do not know what led to the breakup of his family, or who was at fault (if anyone), and Dave has been open with everyone about his depression. He also has recognized, and apologized for, his mistakes and tried to mend fences. Let's show him just a little patience, understanding and support. He has earned it.

By Dusty

Patience has run out

Dusty

Maybe the former supporters of the Mayor have ran out of patience. After all it has been two years now and maybe his antics have grown old in the eyes of those that must deal with his irrational behavior everyday. Unless you are on the council or part of the city staff how can you defend some thing you are unaware of?

Being mayor is not a birthright that someone inherits from whom ever. If his personal life is affecting his position and his performance as Mayor maybe he needs to consider his family over his serving the public. If the city loses the City Manager do to being over stressed and harassed by the Mayor then that sets the whole slow growth movement in Pickerington back at least six months even if they were to find someone dumb enough to accept a job as Manager with a lunatic Mayor who must report daily to said Mayor.

If your friend Dave is having family issues maybe he should attend to his family and allow the city to continue with his legacy. Doing battle with the council is counter productive and will only result in a slowing of the progress currently put forth by the citizens.