Butler board names interim director
Brooks-Higgins, Candice. Cincinnati Post, April 26, 2007, pg. A2.
The six-member Butler County Children Services Board made a key decision Tuesday night in what was likely its last meeting.
The board selected Finance Director Jeff Centers as the interim executive director effective May 5, after the fired Jann Heffner leaves.
The firing was a "regretful" compromise with county officials, board members said, to get Heffner out quickly and yet allow her to collect the remaining $26,000 on her existing contract.
Heffer became a target of criticism following the death of foster child Marcus Fiesel, who died after his foster parents left him bound in a blanket and closed up in a closet for two days while they attended a reunion in Northern Kentucky. The parents, David and Liz Carroll, both were convicted of murder and are serving long prison sentences.
Heffner submitted her resignation in February, and the board then awarded her a $110,000 consulting contract.
The board subsequently voided the contract and fired Heffner after County Prosecutor Robin Piper called the deal illegal.
Before coming to the agency in October, Centers, 43, was executive director of Warren County Children Services for eight years and fiscal officer there for the 11 years. Centers told the board he would not take the job permanently.
The county commission could act as soon as May 14 to disband the board and merge children's services with the county Department of Job and Family Services.
Centers and 12 other senior management officials signed a letter supporting that change.
Board consultant Joe Bride said he couldn't blame Centers for signing the letter because he is vulnerable as a new hire.
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