By Michael D. Clark
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MIDDLETOWN - For more than a year, David Schiavone's leadership as mayor has helped Middletown make headway in efforts to revitalize the city.

But lately, the headlines Schiavone has been making are not the kind he'd like.

Schiavone

He and other members of City Council have won kudos for persuading Middletown Regional Hospital to remain as part of the city, for a $13 million revitalization of the city's downtown, and for raising city housing standards. But now, at a pivotal time for the city he leads, Schiavone finds his own political future in doubt.

Last week Schiavone, a 10-year veteran of City Council whose family is prominent in the Middletown area and owns a popular restaurant here, was accused by officials in the Butler County Adult Probation Office of abusing his supervisory power and sick leave in his full-time job as manager of the department.

He is accused of being inappropriately absent from his county job 10 times during the past two months. On one occasion, he allegedly was away drinking alcohol at a Colerain Township tavern on St. Patrick's Day, and on another, giving a mayoral speech after he told supervisors he needed to go home to care for a sick child.

The list of departmental violations also states that Schiavone is accused of approving time sheets for three subordinates during times when he was "aware that they were not working or sick." Those employees - Rick Baker, William Gray and Ron Wells - resigned last week amid an internal investigation of possible abuses of leave time.

SCHIAVONE FILE

Middletown Mayor David Schiavone is in his 10th year on City Council and in his second consecutive year as mayor for the city's governing board. Full-time job: Manager for the Adult Probation Department of the Butler County Common Pleas Court. Age: 47. High school: Middletown. College: Miami University. Family: Married, two daughters. Community: Volunteers as a girls youth basketball and softball coach; member of Middletown's Holy Family Parish Church.

Schiavone has declined to comment about the allegations, none of which appears to involve criminal misconduct, but says he might publicly explain himself after he has a pre-disciplinary hearing April 18.

But other Middletown residents are talking, including Schiavone's major opponent on City Council. She wants his immediate resignation from the part-time, $5,000-a-year position that governs the city of more than 51,000.

"I've always said he could not be trusted," said fellow council member Laura Williams. "He should resign from council now."

Schiavone and Williams have rarely agreed as members of council, and last month Schiavone proposed a code of conduct policy for council he admitted was aimed primarily at curbing what he described as unprofessional and personal verbal attacks by Williams.

Tracy Hensley, a quarter-century resident of Middletown, said Williams is overreacting with her demands that Schiavone leave council.

"Whatever happened to the idea that you are innocent until proven guilty? I think we should wait and see what happens," said Hensley.

David Daugherty, president of the Mid-Miami Valley Chamber of Commerce, said he hopes Schiavone remains in office and the city keeps up its recent momentum.

"One of the things that has been lacking in Middletown is continuity, and that's important, especially at this time," Daugherty said, referring to the recent actions in retaining the hospital, which is the city's second -largest employer after AK Steel;downtown's revitalization and continued efforts to improve the city's outlook.

"Middletown is now in a position to have a lot of opportunities come its way," he said.

Middletown native Kim Grubbs, manager of Shoebilee in the Towne Mall, agreed: "I think he should keep his job as mayor ... he has done a pretty good job."

She said Middletown residents are talking about the situation and watching it closely. "It's a small city and people talk," she said.

Grubbs said any calls for resignation as mayor should wait until the results of Schiavone's hearing have been made public, and only if he is found guilty of serious departmental violations.

"If he is found guilty, it would be really hard to keep him as a mayor ... because leaders are not supposed to be above and beyond the law," she said.

Myron Pendleton, a 27-year resident of the city, said Schiavone should resign if he is found guilty of serious departmental violations and "he should be prosecuted if he is found guilty of anything criminal."

"I say make an example of him. He should be like anyone else," said Pendleton.

E-mail mclark@enquirer.com