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Pingree Grove board decides not to fire manager

The communications manager in Pingree Grove held onto her job after the village board - which was poised to fire her - decided instead to implement a performance plan for her.

Paula Eaton told the board Tuesday night that in her 10 months on the job she never got any reviews or negative feedback, yet a letter she received last week - drafted after she was told she could resign or be fired - outlined several ways in which she failed to fulfill her duties, including not communicating properly with trustees and residents.

Eaton said none of that is true, maintaining she did all she was expected to do. She also touted uncovering more than $70,000 in utility billing errors.

"It's a political thing. You don't have the nerve to stand up and say that," she said. "Instead, you try to tarnish my efforts and say I did not perform."

Village President Steve Wiedmeyer was elected in April after ousting Village President Greg Marston, whom Eaton and her husband, Ray, supported.

Wiedmeyer said the board, after listening to Eaton's comments and meeting in closed session, decided to continue working with Eaton. Trustee Bob Spieker was absent.

The board will draft performance plans for her and village department heads, including the finance director and police chief, a process that started about three months ago, Wiedmeyer said.

"We will be monitoring that closer and communicating with her much better in the future - as she will with us," he said.

Residents Bruce Henschel and Joe Nowosielski said Eaton's proposed firing seemed to be politically motivated. "We refuse to believe that all of you are corrupt," Nowosielski said. Wiedmeyer said it was all about performance.

Eaton has contended that Trustee Bernie Thomas pressured her and her husband to support Wiedmeyer in the April election.

Henschel said Thomas pressured him as well by asking Henschel to take down a political sign Thomas didn't agree with. "(Thomas) was irate I wouldn't take the sign down," Henschel said.

Thomas left the meeting before taking questions.

Eaton, whose yearly salary is about $51,000, also holds the roles of village clerk and office manager. Her daily tasks, however, amounted to much more, including being "personal secretary" for trustees, she said.

"If I was doing such a bad job, why did you continue to give me more titles and responsibilities?" Eaton said.

Eaton said Thomas asked her to order a plaque - which he paid for - for an employee of Rutland Township. Trustee Ray LaMarca asked her to send an email blast on behalf of his wife, and Wiedmeyer asked her to make copies of documents for his wife, she said.

Resident Trisha Nowosielski took issue with that. "Her doing things for your wives? On taxpayer money? Come on, people," she said.

Last week, the village board postponed firing Eaton - an action it was scheduled to take - to send her the "letter of performance" and give her the chance to respond. That's what she did Tuesday, and consequently the board made its decision, Village Attorney Dean Frieders said.

A candidate for Eaton's position was interviewed by trustees two weeks ago, a day before Eaton said she was told she could resign or be fired.

When the time comes, the village should hire a recruiter to search for the next communications manager and ensure that person then receives 30-day and 90-day reviews, resident Kathi Melone said. "Without reviews, the employee is led to believe he or she is meeting goals," she said.

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