Newton Falls OKs health insurance contracts | News, Sports, Jobs

Staff photo / Bob Coupland
Newton Falls residents holding signs gathered outside the village municipal building Wednesday protesting for fair health care for employees and also supporting police Chief Gene Fixler. From left are Charlotte Simmons, Heidi Zimmermann, Sandra Turner, Adam Zimmermann and Brenda Persino.

NEWTON FALLS — Following a lengthy discussion with many comments from residents, village council voted 4-0-1 to enter into contracts with Pan American for employee health care benefits.

Among the many questions asked during the more-than-three-hour meeting Wednesday was if interim Village Manager Pamela Priddy had any direct connection with — or will benefit from — the contract with Pan American. She said she did not.

Priddy said she has been in the insurance business for 42 years and is a licensed insurance agent, but she said there are many affiliations. She said she has had affiliations with Medical Mutual, Anthem, United Healthcare, Pan American, Companion and other companies.

“Yes, I do have affiliations and know all of those companies. As an insurance agent, you do have affiliations,” she said.

Interim Law Director Alfred Schrader said Priddy gets no money or benefits from the contract.

“There has been some concerns and implications that Pam has some interest in this and she just told you that she doesn’t. Affiliation simply means that she knows a company or has worked with them before as an insurance agent,” Schrader said.

When asked by Councilwoman-at-Large Julie Stimpert, who abstained from voting, if she was ever a manager of Pan American, Priddy said she was not and has no direct affiliation.

She said any employee who has questions about the plan or concerns with copays or contributions can meet with the insurance company Dec. 28 at the municipal building. Employees will receive benefit cards with information. The insurance policy is for one year.

Former councilman Adam Zimmermann did not agree with the explanation given regarding Priddy and the company, stating Ohio ethics laws state a conflict-of-interest law prohibits a public official or employee from using their own position to get benefits for others.

While Zimmermann was speaking at the podium, Mayor Ken Kline loudly banged the gavel numerous times, saying Zimmermann was making accusations with no proof. A heated exchange occurred as Kline and Zimmermann began interrupting each other and speaking loudly over each other.

Kline ordered Zimmermann to stop talking and sit down and then ordered police to remove him.

“Get him out of here. Walk out of my meeting,” Kline yelled at Zimmermann.

“No sir. Anyone who touches me you will have a lawsuit,” Zimmermann said about police officers who approached him in council chambers. Acting police Chief Brian Foor said he had the authority to remove Zimmermann for disrupting a public meeting.

“Stop your talking and let me address you. You have every right to talk, but you do not have the right to make allegations or unfounded accusations of improprities on anyone up here. You know that from when you were on council. There is no proof of any benefits. You are not to suggest any improprities,” Kline said.

Zimmermann said he was not suggesting it but showing according to law how it is a violation of ethics from the Ohio Revised Code.

Zimmermann said electric department employee Matt Evans last week asked questions about the same concerns of conflict of interest and was fired by Priddy.

Priddy said Evans was fired Dec. 8, characterizing his expression at the Dec. 6 meeting as “verbal bullying, public humiliation, spreading rumors and gossip, taking about private lives of others,” in direct violation of the “workforce bullying and no-gossip policy.”

Evans filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court against his termination.

Second Ward Councilman John Baryak said it has been hard for the village with the current financial situation, and efforts are being made to help the employees.

“We are between a rock and a hard place,” he said.

Baryak said Girard also has the same health care provider and plan and read a letter from Girard Service Director Jerry Lambert on their satisfaction with the company.