Staff photo / Bob Coupland Several residents gathered Monday outside the Newton Falls municipal building showing support for police Chief Gene Fixler, who is on paid leave while an investigation is being done of the police and other city departments. Council now has ended the contract of Law Director Joseph Fritz. From left are Robert Robison, 12, Brenda Persino, Sierra Persino, 11, Rhonda Rushnok, and Steve Storm, police sergeant and assistant chief.

NEWTON FALLS — Yet another official was removed from office as the contract of Law Director Joseph Fritz was ended Monday by village council.

Council voted 3-0-1 during a special meeting to terminate Fritz’s contract immediately. Fritz was on paid leave for 30 days while an investigation was being done of village finances and the Treasury Investment Board.

Following a 30-minute executive session, council members John Baryak, Chris Granchie and Tesa Spletzer voted to end the contract while Councilman Adam Zimmermann abstained — objecting to the action being taken at a special meeting.

Fritz, law director since 2010, is among several public officials whose contracts were terminated in the past few months including former village manager David Lynch and former finance director Anna Musson.

Baryak said the action to end the agreement between Fritz, who serves as law director and prosecutor in Newton Falls Municipal Court, was taken upon recommendation of interim village manager Pamela Priddy.

NEW DIRECTION

“Council is looking at going in a different direction with handling of legal matters,” he said.

Fritz was not at the meeting and could not be reached for comment.

Zimmermann said nothing was listed on the special meeting agenda indicating action would be taken after the executive session.

“This is a special meeting and we have to follow what is on the agenda. Rules are rules and we need to stick to them,” he said.

Alfred Schrader, who was administered the oath of office by Mayor Ken Kline as interim law director, said the notice of the meeting indicated there would be an executive session for personnel matters for the discipline and / or dismissal of an employee. He said council could go ahead and vote on the matter.

Kline said council decided to let go of Fritz because of many situations that had arisen in the past year over his guidance related to the law and village charter — including recall elections.

“Council has lost confidence in him and feels it would be better to go in a different direction. Council feels it would be better to have someone else give us information and direction,” Kline said.

Kline said several departments, include finance, law and the police department, are being looked at by state financial auditors and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

He said when Priddy took office as interim village manager last summer, she said some files were missing and computers “scrubbed clean,” the mayor said.

“A lot of things did not add up that is why we are having an investigation done,” Kline said.

SUPPORT FOR CHIEF

Several residents at the meeting held signs outside the municipal building supporting police Chief Gene Fixler, and had been concerned that the executive session was about him.

Fixler is also on paid leave for 30 days as an investigation is done of the police department.

Resident Brad Cope, who said he supports Fixler, said there may be people who did not attend the special meeting who may have wanted to say something in support of Fritz.

“You guys play your games, which is so obvious. You need to do better. This town has gone crazy. There are too many power struggles and people who want their way,” Cope said.

Resident Brenda Persino, who was among those holding signs, said she supports Fixler as do many people.

“I back the chief,” she said, receiving applause from many people at the meeting.

Resident Julie Lemon praised council’s action to terminate Fritz’s pact and remarked Schrader has answered council’s questions unlike Fritz — who she said often would change his opinions.

“This town is in trouble. There are too many who are self serving rather than being a public servant. I applaud council for removing this man and his wind-shifting ways,” Lemon said.