BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON
- Under pressure from some council members, City Manager Richard Hayward resigned Tuesday after more than a decade in the county seat's top position.
The surprise resignation was the culmination of behind-the-scenes negotiations with council members who were disappointed with Mr. Hayward's job performance. It came nearly a year after some council members openly called to remove Mr. Hayward from the helm of the fast-growing community.
Mr. Hayward, whose annual salary is $70,380, will remain city manager until May 31, or until he takes another position. He has an interview this month for city manager of Delaware, Ohio.
His official reason for resigning was to look for other job opportunities. Mr. Hayward had no comment when asked if council pressured him to resign.
In the past year, the city manager was criticized by some council members and residents for his support of a $5 million telecommunications project that would provide, among other services, cable to Lebanon residents. That project was approved this summer after months of delay and infighting among council members.
Some critics also thought the city grew too quickly under Mr. Hayward's tenure.
Councilman Jack Hedges declined to comment Tuesday night on whether the seven-member council encouraged the resignation. Councilman Jim Reinhard said he did not encourage Mr. Hayward to seek another job but thought his resignation would be best for the city.
"I believe he's been overwhelmed in the past couple of years with the council he had to work with," Mr. Reinhard said. "It was time for a change."
Just six months ago, a council majority supported Mr. Hayward. They voted against legislation to fire him and said they were pleased with his job performance.
In August 1997, council gave Mr. Hayward a positive performance review. Three months later, council approved a three-year contract extension. Mr. Hayward, 46, said then he hoped to finish his career in Lebanon.
But Lebanon government has had a checkered year, and Mr. Hayward has been in the middle of the controversies.
When the city held its first-ever recall election in May, one of the main issues was whether to keep Mr. Hayward as city manager or fire him.
Councilman Mark Flick called for Mr. Hayward's removal in March, claiming the city manager failed to provide requested documents to council members and had not followed verbal and written instructions on the telecommunications project. Mr. Flick's ouster plan was tabled until after the recall.
When council member Mary Ann Cole was recalled and John McComb elected to replace her, Mr. Hayward was temporarily back in favor with the majority of council.
