Democrats seek legal opinion on Fox's interest in Children Services post

from the Journal-News
http://www.journal-news.com/hp/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/05/20/mj052107wardrupletter.html

HAMILTON — The Butler County Democratic Party is seeking the local prosecutor's opinion on whether former county Commissioner Michael Fox can be considered to lead Children Services in the area.

The local Democratic leadership is asking Prosecutor Robin Piper, a Republican, for an opinion on the following issues, according to a letter dated Thursday by party Chair Ronnie Wardrup:

• Whether Fox can apply for an appointment for employment by the county commissioners

• Whether Fox can apply for a position that he was "directly responsible for hiring and firing the immediate previous appointee."

"If you do not believe it is in the public interest for you to issue an opinion no the above issues," according to Wardrup's letter to Piper, "I alternatively ask that you submit these issues to Attorney General Marc Dann for consideration."

Republican Fox's resignation from the county commission took effect last week. Fox said he plans to seek the county Children Services executive director position following the termination of Jann Heffner.

Commissioners voted last week to disband the governing board of the county Children Services following the August death of Marcus Fiesel.

With the move, Children Services' administration — including Interim Executive Director Jeff Centers — will report directly to the commissioners and County Administrator Derek Conklin "to have a clearer line of communication," said Commission President Gregory Jolivette.