VILLA HILLS — There never used to be political tensions in this Kenton County city.

        Now, that's all anybody seems to talk about.

        The acrimony was evident once again Friday, just a day after the release of a scathing state audit critical of city spending and the firing of two longtime employees, including the chief of police.

Villa Hills Councilman Bob Kramer (left) is interviewed for Northern Kentucky Live by Steve Devoto after the mayor fired the councilman's wife, city clerk Sue Kramer. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        “I can't believe all this stuff is going on,” said Villa Hills resident Mike Martin, who tried unsuccessfully to attend a Thursday evening press conference called by Mayor Steve Clark. He refused to let the public or council members attend.

        “A few years ago Cincinnati magazine named us the most livable neighborhood in Cincinnati,” said Councilman Bob Kramer. “Now, we're the most laughable.”

        Two major developments on Thursday have again focused attention on the political travails in Villa Hills:

        • Kentucky State Auditor Ed Hatchett issued a report that questioned $44,159 in spending over the last five years on out-of-town travel, alcohol, parties and restaurant tabs. Receipts were found but documentation on why the money was spent was lacking in many instances, the auditor found.

        • Just hours after the audit was released, Mr. Clark, a first-term mayor elected in 1998, fired Police Chief Michael “Corky” Brown and City Clerk Sue Kramer.

        Mr. Clark would not give the exact reasons for the firings, citing confidentiality laws. But he did say they were released on the basis of job performance and the lack of financial oversight cited in the audit.

        He did not accuse either former employee of taking or misappropriating any money.

        Deputy Clerk Mary Ann Breetz is now handling Mrs. Kramer's duties, which include the day-to-day administrative and financial running of the city. Officer Larry Hall is the acting police chief.

        Mr. Clark said no decisions have been made on how the positions will be filled permanently.

        Earlier this month Mr. Clark informed City Attorney Lawson Walker, who has worked for the city for 20 years, that he would be removed from his position in January.

        Mr. Brown, a 17-year-veteran, plans to dispute his firing. He and his attorney, Steve Wolnitzek, showed up at a Friday morning meeting Mr. Clark had called for city employees.

        Mr. Clark refused to allow him to stay for the meeting.

        Council members Tim Sogar and Mr. Kramer, the husband of Sue Kramer, also tried to attend the meeting but were barred by Mr. Clark.

        Mr. Kramer said he and his wife - who has worked for the city for nine years - have not decided whether they will contest her dismissal. But he did hand Mr. Clark a letter that demanded his resignation and questioned the legality of the press conference the mayor called.

        Mr. Clark shrugged off the letter.

        “I ... protest your pattern of unilateral actions that have not been approved by council,” Mr. Kramer stated in the letter. “You continue to talk out of both sides of your mouth, expressing the desire for detente with the council followed by political ambushes like this.

        “You lack the knowledge, skills, ability, and temperament required to do the job,” Mr. Kramer said.

        Meanwhile outside the city building, two Villa Hills residents — Steve Devoto and Steve Schletker — taped a segment Friday for their cable television public access show, Northern Kentucky Live.

        Neither supports Mr. Clark, and as he interviewed council members Mr. Devoto posted a handmade “Impeach Clark” sign in front of the city building.

        “It's a sad day for Villa Hills,” Mr. Devoto said.

        Council members livid over the dismissals claim Mr. Clark is retaliating because all three employees participated in an investigation into the mayor that concluded last month.

        The investigation centered on a city check Mr. Clark said was mistakenly sent to a Florence concrete company. The $25,025 check, which was cashed and then returned to the city, was for work not put out to bid, a violation of state law.

        But a Kenton County grand jury refused to indict Mr. Clark last month after an investigation, which included the participation of Kenton County commonwealth attorney and the Kentucky attorney general.

        Mr. Clark denied revenge was a motive in the firings.

        Villa Hills is located about a mile off of Interstate 75 in northern Kenton County. Most people identify the city with Villa Madonna, a private Roman Catholic school and convent along Amerstam Road.

        Few residents can recall any sort of political scandal in Villa Hills, a largely residential community of about 7,800 where the most pressing problems have been a shortage of soccer fields and sidewalks.

        That began changing in 1998, when Mr. Clark defeated longtime mayor Denny Stein, who was re-elected to council in November.

        Mr. Clark began almost immediately clashing with the council majority over a range of decisions and proposals.

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