3 Toledo council staffers resigning

Three members of the Toledo City Council staff resigned yesterday, two citing personal or professional reasons and the third naming "philosophical differences."

Steve Fought, assistant clerk of council, said he was frustrated with the leadership of city council and felt that he no longer had council's ear. His last day will be Aug. 11.

"When my best advice gets ignored, it's time for me to move on," he said.

Mr. Fought, who joined the staff in 2005, said he advised council members that minutes must be taken at their bi-monthly agenda review meetings to comply with the state's open meetings law.

Council President Rob Ludeman said he never heard from Mr. Fought about his concerns.

He added that the agenda review meetings will be held for the next two months in council chambers on the first floor of Government Center and that the meetings will be recorded. Mr. Ludeman said council will review the decision to hold the meetings in council chambers in mid-October.

Also leaving is council's manager of legislative operations, Keith McCrea, who said he is moving to New Hampshire for personal reasons. He has worked with council since 2002; his last day is Aug. 24.

Mr. McCrea is also a Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority board member.

Jim Molnar, who has served as a council intern and then as a council aide since 1999, will leave tomorrow to take a position in the Lucas County Recorder's Office.