Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com

Published - Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Lewiston residents want city administrator fired; official says complaints are unfounded

By Amber Dulek | Winona Daily News

LEWISTON, Minn. — A group of Lewiston residents want the city’s top appointed official removed and are circulating a petition they plan to present to the city council.

“We’re showing them the power of the pen and the power of the voter,” said Jon Nienow, co-chair of Concerned Citizens of Lewiston. “We also will show the power of the ballot box in the next election.”

The group claims to have collected more than 400 signatures from the city’s 1,500 residents on a petition asking the city council to fire city administrator Barb Hampel. It plans to present the petition to the council at its July 25 meeting.

The petition lists five reasons for Hampel’s removal, including that “it appears” she’s unqualified for the job and has created a hostile work environment.

Hampel said the concerns are vague and not valid.

“If they were going to do this petition, they should have gotten the facts first before they spread it around because people are grossly misinformed,” Hampel said Monday at her office. “They’re ripping the city apart.”

Lewiston’s third administrator since 2006, Hampel was hired in February. Hampel, who has worked as a city clerk and administrator since 1973, said she is qualified. She said the council hired her knowing that she would need additional training to use the city’s financial software, which she completed in May.

Hampel said too much of her time is spent handling personnel disputes and residents’ complaints.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Hampel, who worked as the Preston city clerk from 1973 to 1999 and as Eyota’s city administrator from 2000 to 2005. “I don’t get anything done because all I’ve been doing is putting out fires.”

Since Hampel came to Lewiston, residents and city council members have sparred over a number of changes, notably the council’s decision to cut the police force. The city’s former utility billing clerk resigned after clashing with Hampel and the council. Residents were upset that funding for a new pool and well project were delayed because the city’s 2006 financial audit was not completed until last week.

Larry Rupprecht, the co-chair of the 60-member group hoping to oust Hampel, said they realize the petition has no real authority, but they hope the city council will consider the constituents they represent.

Mayor Lee Rain and council members Bruce Boynton and Richard Ahrens refused to comment for this story. Council members Jack Kanz and Pat Burns did not return messages left Monday and Tuesday on answering machines and with family members.

Reporter Amber Dulek can be reached (507)453-3513 or amber.dulek@lee.net.