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Neosho, Mo. —
Representation for Jan Blase, former city manager for the city of Neosho, has made a request with the Neosho City Council for an appeals hearing.
Neosho Mayor Jeff Werneke said the e-mail communication was received at approximately 4 p.m. Friday. The e-mail was from legal representation for Blase.
On Monday, Jan. 25, the council voted unanimously to begin the process of removing Blase from office. According to the city charter, Blase had five days after being notified of the decision to request a hearing.
Werneke said no timetable has been set for the hearing.
“I haven’t heard a thing,” Werneke said, when asked Saturday for a date on the hearing. “I guess we’ll hear from them. Steve (Hays) is supposed to get with Jan’s guy.”
Blase is the subject of an investigation conducted by the Newton County Sheriff’s Department into improper fund transfers. In December, former City Finance Director Bob Blackwood acknowledged transferring money out of the hotel / motel tax fund, earmarked to promote tourism, into general revenues to make city payroll and to pay other city bills. A total of $611,900 was transferred out of that fund, as well as the tax increment finance (TIF) fund and the water and wastewater fund.
Blackwood was fired by Acting City Manager Dave McCracken on Tuesday, hours after Blase was notified of the council’s tentative decision to remove him from his office.
The sheriff’s investigation came as a result of a complaint by Davidson. On Friday, Newton County Prosecutor Jake Skouby said he is reviewing additional evidence in the case this weekend, and will make a decision early next week whether to file criminal charges.
In a recent “city manager’s newsletter,” Blase addressed the charges, saying the allegations were “the latest attempt to discredit the office of the city manager" and "efforts at character assassination."
“I look forward to the timely resolution of these latest allegations and I will continue to strive to do what is best for the people of Neosho," Blase said. "I can assure you that I have acted ethically and within the boundaries of the office of city manager.”
Representation for Jan Blase, former city manager for the city of Neosho, has made a request with the Neosho City Council for an appeals hearing.
Neosho Mayor Jeff Werneke said the e-mail communication was received at approximately 4 p.m. Friday. The e-mail was from legal representation for Blase.
On Monday, Jan. 25, the council voted unanimously to begin the process of removing Blase from office. According to the city charter, Blase had five days after being notified of the decision to request a hearing.
Werneke said no timetable has been set for the hearing.
“I haven’t heard a thing,” Werneke said, when asked Saturday for a date on the hearing. “I guess we’ll hear from them. Steve (Hays) is supposed to get with Jan’s guy.”
Blase is the subject of an investigation conducted by the Newton County Sheriff’s Department into improper fund transfers. In December, former City Finance Director Bob Blackwood acknowledged transferring money out of the hotel / motel tax fund, earmarked to promote tourism, into general revenues to make city payroll and to pay other city bills. A total of $611,900 was transferred out of that fund, as well as the tax increment finance (TIF) fund and the water and wastewater fund.
Blackwood was fired by Acting City Manager Dave McCracken on Tuesday, hours after Blase was notified of the council’s tentative decision to remove him from his office.
The sheriff’s investigation came as a result of a complaint by Davidson. On Friday, Newton County Prosecutor Jake Skouby said he is reviewing additional evidence in the case this weekend, and will make a decision early next week whether to file criminal charges.
In a recent “city manager’s newsletter,” Blase addressed the charges, saying the allegations were “the latest attempt to discredit the office of the city manager" and "efforts at character assassination."
“I look forward to the timely resolution of these latest allegations and I will continue to strive to do what is best for the people of Neosho," Blase said. "I can assure you that I have acted ethically and within the boundaries of the office of city manager.”
