City Hall Says There is No Documentation Avon Lake Councilman Larry Meiners Bullied Rec Director

Just what, if anything, an Avon Lake councilman might have done to cause the city’s former recreation director to cite “bullying” in her resignation letter may never be known.

The former city department head, Alexandria Nichols, is not saying. And although Nichols said the city has documentation of her allegations, the city says it does not. 

Human Resource Director George Wintermyer, after confirming the council member referred to in the letter was Larry Meiners, said no documentation on a dispute between the two was ever recorded.  

On Jan. 13, Recreation Director Alexandria Nichols submitted her resignation to Mayor K. C. Zuber. While the letter did not specify a reason for leaving, it did say that an otherwise positive employment was marred in part by the city’s failure to “cease bullying and unfair treatment by a council member” during Nichols’ tenure.

Nichols left the job to become executive director of one of  the YMCA of Greater Cleveland’s east side branches.

“There is no documentation,” Wintermyer said.  “There was never a file started.”

Wintermyer said he talked with Nichols and Meiners at the time when Nichols said the verbal bullying incident occurred. But he believed the issue was resolved and no further action was taken.

Contacted on Jan. 18, Meiners, a seven-year councilman, said he had no comment concerning Nichols' allegations.

“I wish Alex the best of luck in her new endeavor,” Meiners said. “She did a wonderful job in Avon Lake and she showed great attention to detail with the new pool.”