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By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER; Times Leader Staff Writer
Monday, January 13, 1997 Page: 3A
KINGSTON — With the resignation of Jim Keiper, Kingston faces the prospect
of searching for its fourth administrator in four years.
And the latest search couldn’t come at more difficult time — in the
hostile atmosphere of an election year.
Finding someone willing to sit in the political hot seat might prove a
challenge, Democratic Mayor Gary Reese said Sunday.
“Who the hell would want it?” Reese asked, underscoring the frequent
battles he has endured with the GOP-controlled council over personnel and
policy matters.
Reese was still reeling from the surprise resignation of Keiper, considered
his most loyal ally. Keiper quit Friday and returned to his former position as
assistant police chief.
Keiper, who could not be reached Sunday, blamed his resignation on
irreconcilable differences with council.
Reese predicted a replay of the controversial search for an administrator
three years ago years ago in which council rejected his nominee, former U.S.
Rep. Jim Nelligan, R-Harveys Lake.
“Council will never agree on anyone I want,” Reese said. “We couldn’t come
to an agreement last time. They want someone in here who isn’t qualified and
will fall on their face so they can discredit me.”
Kingston’s merry-go-round of administrators started in June 1993, when Fred
Potzer resigned amid reports the municipality faced a multimillion-dollar
debt.
Jim Phillips of Mars, hired in October 1993 amid a heated election between
Republican incumbent Frank “Bunky” Sorochak and Reese, didn’t last long. After
Reese won, he fired Phillips in April 1994 and named Keiper as interim
administrator.
Keiper became the permanent administrator after the council shot down
Reese’s nomination of Nelligan.
Replacing Keiper promises to be a major political issue between Reese and
the council. Council members Republican Michael Dogal and Democrat Richard
Adams have said they will run for mayor.
Dogal said Sunday his main goal is to find someone who will work with both
council and the mayor and not take sides — something he accused Keiper of
doing.
“A lot of times Mr. Keiper went along with the mayor just because he was
the mayor,” Dogal said. “The job of administrator is not easy. You have to be
a liaison between council and the mayor. If you take sides with one or the
other, you’re looking for trouble.”
Even if the new administrator doesn’t take sides, the person might still
find trouble, Dogal said. That’s what he claims happened to Phillips, who he
said refused to align with Reese.
“That’s why Mr. Phillips was fired. He didn’t take sides and just did his
job,” Dogal said.
But Reese claims it is council that wants a puppet to manipulate. “They
want someone in here they can wrap around their little fingers.”
Reese has 90 days to name an interim replacement for Keiper. He said Sunday
he had no one in mind. For the time being, the borough will operate as usual.
Reese has the power to pay bills. The only difference is there will be one
less signature on the checks, he said.
Council President Sally Teller Lottick said she was hopeful the council and
mayor will resolve their differences and find a replacement soon.
Lottick did not want to comment on the tone the upcoming job search will
take, fearing it will make the process more difficult.
“I don’t like to make prophecies because they have a tendency to become
self-fulfilling.”