By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LIBERTY TWP. - This fast-growing Butler County community is dealing with turmoil over its administrator.

Nell Kilpatrick, the township's administrator since 1998, came under fire this week for her performance. Trustee President Christine Matacic, who took office in January 2002, is now the acting administrator.

Kilpatrick's doctor has told the township she is too ill to work for now. On Monday, trustees discussed her performance in a closed-door session, and on Wednesday they temporarily replaced her.

"This is a very crucial time for Liberty Township, and the leadership has to be at its best," said Tom Farrell, president of the Four Bridges Homeowners Association. "We are trying to get some commercial development that will give us the funds to continue as a township of class. Otherwise, we will just become an extension of the wonderful Tylersville Road and buildings will pop up everywhere. We have to have some vision. This disruption of leadership is a grave concern."

Liberty officials are struggling to handle a housing boom and to recruit businesses. A proposed eastward interchange off the Michael A. Fox Highway is the key to making it all come together, trustees say.

But now Trustee Bob Shelley is upset and says the other two trustees want to fire Kilpatrick. He attributes the controversy to "petty politics."

Kilpatrick's job evaluations were not in her personnel file Thursday. Matacic said she had no idea why they are not.

The Enquirer, however, obtained Kilpatrick's most recent review, from July 2002. Trustees said she has weaknesses in her conduct and management abilities:

Employee Relations - "sometimes confrontational/vindictive and may have led to the turnover in the office."

Communications - "has difficulty communicating negative aspects with employees - would rather not communicate than to face the issue."

Lack of initiative as a manager - "causes confusion as to who is responsible and what the policies/procedures are."

The evaluation praises Kilpatrick for working hard, putting in extra time, being well organized and for her personal habits and appearance.

Personnel conflicts are at the root of problems with Kilpatrick, Shelley said, but it's nothing that can't be worked out. Matacic and Trustee David Kern will not discuss Kilpatrick's performance or their apparent desire to see her go, as Shelley maintains.

The issue of Kilpatrick's performance came to a head after trustees received calls from upset employees over the weekend, Shelley said.

The trustees are considering changing the township's share of costs for health insurance. Kilpatrick notified township supervisors of the move last week and when supervisors took it back to their workers, they called trustees.

"All hell broke loose," Shelley said. "The employees, not having all the information, were upset. We assured them we may not change things, that we were just looking at it. But that's what started this whole episode."

Kilpatrick apologized profusely, he added.

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com.