"Personnel issues" with Millcreek Township Treasurer Mark Zaksheske are "unequivocally" not about his public criticisms of the township's West Eighth Street project, Board of Supervisors Chairperson Kim Clear said Thursday.

Former Millcreek Supervisor John Groh and others have said that supervisors' Jan. 2 vote to table Zaksheske's reappointment as treasurer amounts to "retribution" by the township.

Zaksheske publicly called the 2023 purchases of the former Bel-Aire Hotel, Joe Root's Grill and three other properties in the township's Presque Isle Gateway District a "boondoggle," and in a February social media post said, "The Township doesn't have the funds to develop the properties and it paid more than market for them. Exactly the wrong thing to do in real estate development."

That's not the issue, Clear said.

"I unequivocally say this is not retribution for comments that he made publicly about Eighth Street," Clear said. "It is unfortunate that past public officials choose to make assumptions about administrative actions taken at the township when they have absolutely no facts or evidence to back their claims."

Zaksheske has been on paid administrative leave since Jan. 2, when supervisors voted 2-1 to table his reappointment.

Clear and Supervisor Dan Ouellet have cited "personnel issues" as the reason they voted to table. Supervisor Jim Bock voted against the motion.

What's next?

Zaksheske's lawyer has asked to meet with supervisors and township solicitor Mark Shaw to discuss Zaksheske's job performance.

"Mr. Zaksheske deserves to know what, if any, concern exists about his performance so he can address it promptly and resume his duties as Treasurer and service to Millcreek citizens," John Mizner said in a letter dated Wednesday and emailed to supervisors in care of Shaw.

"Only then, can he begin the work to restore his good name and reputation. Therefore, Mr. Zaksheske and I would request the opportunity to meet with you and (township) Attorney (Mark) Shaw to address any questions and concerns that you have so this matter can be resolved once and for all," Mizner said in the letter.

Zaksheske is "confident," Mizner said, that any questions about his performance would be resolved in a meeting.

Zaksheske has been township treasurer since July 2015.

Mizner: Zaksheske 'shocked, disappointed' about decision

Audits of township finances, liquid fuels monies and the use of state funds for pensions since then have all had "clean" findings with no comments or suggestions for improvement, Mizner said in his letter to supervisors.

"Given these objective and verifiable facts, Mr. Zaksheske was shocked, disappointed and troubled to learn that he had been put on administrative leave without forewarning or explanation at the Supervisors meeting on Jan. 2nd," Mizner said.

The action, Mizner said, "has led to unfair and unnecessary speculation about Mr. Zaksheske's character and performance."

Mizner, in his letter, also questioned whether two supervisors met privately before the Jan. 2 meeting and decided to suspend Zaksheske.

Bock said during a township auditors' meeting Jan. 3 that, shortly before the meeting, Ouellett "came in and said, quote, 'Kim and I have decided not to reappoint Mark Zaksheske (as treasurer).'"

Bock's account, Ouellet said, "is not totally factual."

It was not known Thursday if township supervisors and their solicitor will meet with Mizner and Zaksheske.

"I don't have any comment on whether or not we will be meeting," Clear said.

Original Article By: Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.