Town of Peru

PERU REPUBLICAN PARTY ASKS SUPERVISOR TO RESIGN:

Town of Peru Republican leaders have asked for Supervisor Donald Covel's resignation, but Covel says he will stay on the job for the taxpayers' benefit.

Citing Covel's "inability to work cooperatively with any of the other town board members and many town employees," the Republican Committee held a vote of no confidence for the supervisor during the committee's regular meeting Tuesday evening.

The 18 committee members on hand voted unanimously to request Covel's resignation.
...
Republican Committee members also expressed concern that Covel has not been functioning well as the supervisor. Most recently, the Town Council learned that a bond payment was overdue and in danger of going in default.

Covel said he didn't know of the payment and hadn't seen anything about it himself, but many believe that it is his job to know about that kind of situation.

"These are the kinds of things that can have a long-term impact and cost the town a lot of dollars," said Committee Member George Coon. "I do think the root cause of some of the problems is that his confidential secretary (Sue Polhemus) has b een replaced, and she would have been invaluable for a smooth transition."
...
But one of the major concerns that the committee considered was the lack of support between Covel and the board.

"The Town Board and supervisor have historically had a working relationship in this town," Coon said. "Donnie (Covel) has had a sterling reputation for working with others, but that doesn't seem to be happening anymore."

Covel says that he is trying to work with the councilors and has asked them to take a more active role in town government but is being met with resistance from them all.

"It's hard for me to conduct town business at our meetings when all four of them are attacking me," he said. "I do want to work as a team."