Elections board members clash

PERKINS TWP. — An anonymous complaint against Erie County's new elections board director proved to be unfounded, according to a report from the county human resources director. But Tom Ferrell, a Democrat who serves as board chairman, refused to discuss it at a board meeting this week. Ferrell said he brought the allegation to the elections board at a recent board meeting, and the board voted to ask the county's human resources director to investigate the claim. Jones Ferrell abruptly "recessed" the meeting without a vote after fellow board member Lisa Crescimano, a Republican, brought up the human resources director's report, which cleared elections board director Alex Jones of any wrongdoing. "We need a motion to recess," Ferrell said. "Right before we recess, I have something to say. I would like to make a few comments regarding the HR director's report," Crescimano said. "It's not on the agenda," Ferrell interrupted. "We don't do this in regular election meetings." "I have a few words to say," Crescimano said. "You can say it tomorrow night," Ferrell told her. "I'm saying it now," she said. "We're in recess. Thank you for coming," said Ferrell, who walked away from the table without getting a motion or a vote to recess. Crescimano continued reading from a prepared statement. "I would like to make a few comments regarding the HR director's report sent to the board last week. (County human resources) director (Matt) Wilson made clear that the accusations made against our director by Mr. Ferrell were entirely unfounded." It continued: "At our last board meeting, Mr. Ferrell indicated that a complaint had been made to him that the (elections board) director spent four hours in the middle of a work day at a winery and was in violation of county policy. This was entirely untrue. Mr. Ferrell or this alleged complainant (provided false information) for the purpose of pursuing a political agenda." Wilson determined that Jones went to the former Meier's Winery building at 1702 Campbell St. in Sandusky, a vacant blighted property that Jones — in his capacity as the former county land bank director — worked to get redeveloped. He met there briefly with contractors who were there to survey the work orders Jones helped prepare. "In this case, Alex Jones genuinely thought he was doing Erie County a service by providing transition assistance for the incoming director of the land bank," Wilson wrote in his report. "There is no ill-intent, falsification nor attempts at doing anything unlawful or dishonest. It is unclear what the intention of the anonymous complainant would be, but the claims of any alleged policy infraction appear to be unfounded." Wilson said he was unable to talk with the complainant because Ferrell would not identify that person. "I would like to request the name of the complainant. It is impossible to conduct any further investigation without also interviewing the accusing party," Wilson wrote. Crescimano said the board must do better for its employees. "The most disturbing part of the story is that the board was not informed who the complainant was or what evidence they had that this had occurred," Crescimano said. "I have had the chance to speak with former board of elections employees who have felt harassed and uncomfortable with the behavior of current or former members of this board." She continued: "I fear that Mr. Jones may have been followed by an agent of a political party in an effort to intimidate and undermine him. This board should be ashamed of its conduct. In particular, Mr. Ferrell owes our director an apology for perpetuating falsehoods regarding his performance and leading the charge to subject him to an unfounded investigation. "Additionally we all deserve to know if there was a complainant and, if so, who? Mr. Jones may need to be extended protection to make sure he isn't stalked or harassed by unbalanced actors seeking a political agenda." Ferrell declined to say who made the complaint. He also declined to say if he accepted the findings of the human resources director or if he planned to apologize to Jones. "Personnel issues are done in executive session," Ferrell said. The board met briefly on Tuesday, and Ferrell again refused to let Crescimano read her statement into the record.