The Quad Press 4/21/2009

Centerville officials refute blog claims against city's former finance director

Mayor says Meyer brought in more than $3 million in grant funding

by Nicholas Backus
Staff Writer

Published:

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 10:16 AM CDT

CENTERVILLE — As the city searches for a new finance director, a group of Centerville residents is asking if another full-time director is needed.

With downtown development work on the back burner, some believe the town of about 4,000 should contract out the work formerly done by John Meyer, who retired as Centerville’s finance director in January. Several who declined to be quoted by the Press say they question whether Meyer had been working full-time on projects for Centerville.

Meyer could not be reached for comment by press time.

City Administrator Dallas Larson and Mayor Mary Capra confirmed that Meyer concurrently completed work for other cities, but Larson said none of the work Meyer did outside of Centerville presented a conflict.

“He had some outside work, but there is nothing to suggest there was anything inappropriate with that,” Larson said. “From everything we were able to determine, (outside work) was on his own time. We are not going to paint this as something it was not. We are not going to restrict our employees as long as it is not a conflict and they are not on the clock.”

Larson said Centerville does not restrict its employees from outside work, and Capra said Meyer would not compromise the interests of Centerville.

“Mr. Meyer is a professional and he would never compromise any of our grants,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that a small group out there is trying to find problems that are not problems.”

Capra referred to a local blog compiled by anonymous Centerville residents, www.Centervillemn.blogspot.com. The blog claimed Meyer violated Centerville’s employment policy through his work with other cities. Some who commented on the blog said they were afraid of the city retaliating if they were to go on record about their issues with Meyer’s departure and past work.

Capra said Meyer was a good employee who brought in more than $3 million in grant funds for the city, and that resident inquiries into Meyer’s personal file are costing the city tax dollars because of attorney fees.

Larson said the blog has “nothing good to say about Centerville, ever.”