Bell’s director appointment withdrawn
Written by Kristen Rapin | | krapin@toledofreepress.comMayor-elect Mike Bell announced that one of his new director appointments has withdrawn.
Paul Hubbard was appointed as director of neighborhoods and has subsequently withdrawn his appointment through a mutual decision with the mayor-elect.
Hubbard and a business partner have a $50,000 outstanding business loan with the City of Toledo that has yet to be resolved.
“My administration is going to be transparent. If I don’t get it right I’ll let you know and we’ll come back and try to fix it. This is one of those instances,” Bell said.
Bell said he was not made aware of the outstanding business loan before he offered Hubbard the position and is “disappointed” the information wasn’t disclosed to him by Hubbard.
“Trust is of the utmost importance in moving this new administration forward. This is an in issue in which the standard needs to be set higher,” Bell said.
Bell acknowledged that no background check had been run because he felt Hubbard was qualified. Bell said he had known Hubbard for years and that since Hubbard had held the position in the past, he felt that he could serve as director of neighborhoods.
“We made a mistake. In order to solve this in the future will be performing background checks,” Bell said.
Kattie Bond, current director of the department of neighborhoods, has indicated she will fill the role as long as the city needs her, Bell said.
Bell made three other new appointments to his cabinet on Dec. 15, including two posts retained from Mayor Finkbeiner’s administration.
Tom Crothers, head of Downtown Toledo Improvement District, was appointed director of public utilities.
“I am delighted to have been tapped by Mike Bell to be on his team. The Department of Public Utilities will play a large role in the revitalization of our entire region as we fairly and equitably use the resources which belong to us all,” Crothers said. “Under the leadership of Mike and myself we view a sense of urgency in the design and construction of underground utilities and in the services we deliver on a regular basis to our 100,000 customers in Toledo and Northwest Ohio. I look forward to this challenge.”
Adam Loukx and Peg Wallace will retain their positions from the current administration. Loukx is the law director for Toledo and Wallace is the acting director of human resources.
The new appointments bring Bell’s cabinet to seven appointees. Previously named were Dean Monske, deputy mayor for external affairs, Stephan Herwat, deputy mayor for operations, Shirley Green, safety director, and Jennifer Sorgenfrei, public information officer.
