Loveland, Ohio – Mayor Mark Fitzgerald did not re-appoint long time member of the Loveland Beautification Committee, Donna Bednar this year, and committee members expressed their dismay at the January 5 council meeting. The committee is responsible for planting flowers throughout public spaces such as the boxes on the Thomas Paxton Bridge over the Little Miami River. They also sponsor other programs such as recognizing 
beautification efforts of residents and businesses.
The rules on how council operates says standing committees such as the Beautification Committee are “appointed by the Mayor, subject to approval of council.” Traditionally, this rule is interpreted to mean that other councilmembers can suggest committee appointments, but the Mayor has the final say.
The only explanation given was that “new blood” is sometimes needed on committees. Fitzgerald had the votes he needed; himself, Pam Gross, Linda Cox, and Angie Settle. Rob Weisgerber, Ted Phelps, and Kathy Bailey expressed disappointment, and voted, “No.”
Committee member, Becky Giver said that finding out Bednar was not re-appointed, “Was a total shock to us. I find it quite astounding that this decision was made without even consulting our committee chair, Lynn Oury.”
Councilmember, Rob Weisgerber said that there were a number of former committee volunteers, not just Donna Bednar who were “thrown under the bus” by not being not re-appointed. “It has the appearance of cronyism and political paybacks.”
Beautification Committee Chair, Lynn Oury says the committee plans on attending the next council meeting on January 12 as well.
Below are video clips of those taking the podium during the open forum of the meeting to talk about how important Bednar’s service on the committee has been, and the debate among council members.
Here is the list of Board, Commission, and Committee appointees made by Mayor Fitzgerald on January 5.
These appointments were made to Charter established boards and commissions on December 8 with a 7-0 vote.
- ? Barry Kuhn was reappointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three-year term ending December 31, 2018.
- ? Joseph Ciaramitaro was reappointed to the Civil Service Commission for a six-year term ending December 31, 2021.
- ? Joi Thomas was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a three-year term ending December 31, 2018.
- ? Chris Mihalik was reappointed to the Recreation Board for a three-year term ending December 31, 2018.
- ? Desheil Bell (School Board Representative) was reappointed to the Recreation Board for a three-year term ending December 31, 2018.
- ? Linda Cox was appointed to the Recreation Board for a three-year term ending December 31, 2018.
Committee appointments are not lifetime appointments. When Ms. Bednar was appointed to committee, wasn’t someone else not re-appointed? Wanting new people involved and new ideas on the committees is sound policy and shows good judgement – the “new” people appointed are more than qualified and I’m glad this council majority is willing to let others serve, unlike prior administrations that allowed people to stay on committees until they decided to leave. Change is difficult but necessary. Good for the council majority on “mixing it up” something that was desperately needed from the “one ring circus” that had two people running our city like it was their personal kingdom. We got rid of one ringmaster, seems we have one more to go – Mr. Weisgerber.
“three ring circus”, eh? That’s somehow worse than the one ring Weisgerber-Carroll circus of not so long ago. Where was the outrage then? Where were the en masse committee resignations then? Fitz may be off to a rocky start, but for Weisgerber to throw stones, such hypocrisy knows no bounds.
The Loveland Herald (Wednesday, January 20, 2016 edition) has reported Rob Weisgerber as stating, “If anyone provides resistance to (Fitzgerald), now or then, he will remove the obstruction. Example: (Dave) Bednar was on council when (Fitzgerald) as our city manager was removed from his position. Political payback is to remove Dave from recreation and remove his wife from beautification.”
We are only a few weeks into the new mayor’s administration, and City Council already has the makings of a three-ring circus.
I just watched all the testimonies and heard the concerns from the current Beautification Committee. First I want to say that after hearing the comments and watching council I was very disappointed with what I saw. Mark FitzGerald did not seem to be listening or showing any interest in what was being said. Im just stating what I saw. Regardless I find it shocking that this is even a topic of discussion. Mark, you clearly do not understand the commitment these volunteers have made to Loveland. They work behind the scenes preparing and planting in all seasons except winter. Remember, this is volunteer time to keep Loveland beautiful. They devote lots of time. I have helped and worked with the committee in the past and I have always been impressed with their commitment. I am an executive at a large investment firm and I know a successful team when I see it. You always look for commitment, passion, dedication and diversity in talent. The Beautification committee exemplifies these traits. Donna has been a key member of the team. You heard what her team members said about her. She is a leader and gets things done. It’s hard enough to find employees on a salary who get things done. This is volunteer work. Are you kidding me??? I am so shocked that this is a topic and tax payer dollars are being used to box someone out because of something??? New Blood? What a joke! Anyone can join the committee. They even let me help. You don’t get rid of someone as dedicated as Donna when you have a hard time finding volunteers. This is a beautification committee. They plan, plant flowers, water them, save Loveland money and make Loveland beautiful. And they have fun doing it. Donna is a key reason for why every year all the volunteers come back. The rest of Loveland needs to hear about this. The Beautification Committee needs to be heard. Mark, I don’t know you but you seem to be a guy who wants change. Here is my advice to you. Focus on the big stuff. Not the Beautification Committee. You have a great community and you need to focus on change where change is needed. The beautification committee does not need to change because the team is working, getting things done and Donna plays a key role in the success of the committee.
Loveland City Hall is starting to resemble Tammany Hall, complete with its own Boss Tweed.
Mark Fitzgerald jumped the gun and made Donna’s removal from emotion rather than reason and process.
Here are a couple questions that should have been asked before any action was taken. Were there any complaints on the progress or the accomplishments of the Beautification committee from council or any citizen? Other than the clichéd excuse, “New Blood” What specific reason did the Mayor have not to appoint Donna?
Was any expectations officially set to Donna or any Beautification committee member? Was there any feedback from council on their displeasure on any of the member’s progress?
I doubt it.
Mark Fitzgerald has a troubled history in politics, and this is not a surprise to anyone. While city manager of Loveland he was given a loan by the city, and paid all but $60,000.
In North College Hill, as city manager, he had his salary combined with his wife Linda, and report this false inflated salary to OPERS, the state retirement system. There is a court case that has moved to trial regarding Fitzgerald. Here is a Channel 19 news investigation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yW0jCozuWQ This is Part 1 of 2.
“The Loveland Beautification Committee was tasked with designing, purchasing and planting flowers with the help of volunteers in the spring, as well as decorating in the fall and during the holidays. The committee purchased the banners and arranged with Public Works for their display. For years, we had a budget that allowed for us to plant several areas around Loveland including bridges, parks and city owned properties. When the tax proposal was voted down a few years ago, we lost nearly all of our funding. At that point, we focused on the historical downtown area. At this point, there are very few areas available to be planted. That is why we had to disappoint long serving volunteers and turn away new people willing to plant.
We honestly felt removing only one of our members had nothing to do with looking for “new blood” or because the committee was too large. It was a personal slight.
It is our hope that Council will figure a way to keep Loveland looking great. It just can’t be by us.”
In other news, Barney Fife is mad as a wet hen that he was not selected as a judge for this year’s pie-baking contest. Aunt Bee thinks mischief is afoot.