LEBANON — The once-popular director of Lebanon's parks and recreation department says he was forced to resign Wednesday over a report that included a derogatory comment about three council members.

        Bob Harris' resignation, effective immediately, leaves the already-shorthanded department with one manager.

Harris

        The anonymous resident's comment — “Get Reinbart (referring to Councilman James Reinhard), Amy Brewer and Norm Dreyer off Council” — appears in a draft assessment of the city's recreation needs.

        Recreation board members reviewing the report Monday raised concerns that the statement didn't have anything to do with parks and recreation needs, according to both Mr. Harris and Ben Cole — the only councilman at the meeting.

        Mr. Harris explained that he thought all citizen responses should be included as long as they aren't obscene, he told the Enquirer.

        Wednesday, City Manager George “Pat” Clements asked him to resign, Mr. Harris said. “Pat told me that that comment was unprofessional and it showed a lack of judgment on my part for keeping it in there. He said my actions were saying I agreed with it.”

        Mr. Clements and City Attorney Mark Yurick declined to give a reason for Mr. Harris' sudden resignation.

        But Councilman Norm Dreyer II confirmed “poor judgment” was a factor.

        “That needs assessment has to do with the needs of the park; it has nothing to do with personnel,” Mr. Dreyer said. “When we have City Council meetings, we don't let people stand up and berate individuals by name.”

        Early in his two-year tenure, Mr. Harris, 39, received kudos from all sides for setting up a summer camp program, getting grants for new shelters and playground equipment, and other efforts.

        However, he was close to former City Manager James Patrick. After Mr. Patrick was forced out in November, the new council majority considered eliminating Mr. Harris' job.

        Mr. Clements talked members out of that.

        “I think he feels a little burned right now,” Mr. Dreyer said.

Moment of silence almost law
Smoker may be Ohio's savior
Last Coleman appeal: No telecast
Planting understanding
City worker charged as loan shark
Curtis Norris, insurance exec, dies at 88
Fine Arts Fund hits goal amid turbulence
Indian Hill asks for help buying land
Lemmie taps two Dayton officials
State allots $1 million for local jobs program
Tristate A.M. Report
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Modern service
RADEL: The winner
SAMPLES: Sleeping dogs
Deputy accused of making lewd remarks to kids
Lebanon park chief forced out
Milford lot may become new school
Ohio 28 makeover proposed
Prison employee sues to save hair
Township won't back complex
Turning parents into friends
Cleveland mayor wants to keep schools control
Concealed-carry bill holstered
Former housing director gets prison sentence
Murder conviction ruled not proper
Sponsors of legislator's fund-raiser focus of panel
Voting problems investigated
Cabinet member resigns under cloud
Covington cleanup protested
Fund drive to help homeless
GOP blasts campaign funding
Jurors screened for Craven trial
Levee's tax break still in budget
NKU staff, faculty raises in proposed budget
Panel looks at smoking ban
Park burns land to restore trees
Quilter repeats '96 Paducah win
Struggling schools get $3.3-million boost
Teen has $10K to dampen smoking