DaytonDailyNews.com

FAIRBORN — Mayor Gary Woodward rebuked a claim by three council members that public records are missing from the city manger's personnel file.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Oct. 1, Woodward wrote that the background check, performance review and disciplinary action either didn't exist or were not public records.

He claims individual reviews by council members of Deborah McDonnell's performance and her background check are not public records under the Ohio Sunshine Law.

He also wrote that council took no formal action to discipline McDonnell so no record was produced.

Those statements directly conflict with charges leveled by Council members Frank Cervone, James Hapner and EJ Griffith who called for a special investigation into why papers were missing from the file.

When the Dayton Daily News inspected her personnel file Sept. 17 it only contained her job application, contact and insurance forms.

The three council members have said they believe their reviews, a council investigation and McDonnell's background check should be in her file.

McDonnell was on leave for two weeks without council members disclosing the reason. She returned to work Monday.

McDonnell said Wednesday that Cervone, Hapner and Griffith and Stuart Snow requested her resignation before she went on leave.

After seeking legal advice and receiving support from the community McDonnell said she chose not to resign.

"I believe in this community enough to make the fight," she said.

Snow is expected to be on medical leave at least a month leaving McDonnell with split support on council with Woodward, Vice Mayor Joan Dautel and Councilman Fredrick Pumroy backing her.