Date: Fri 11-Jul-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Edmond-Mahoney-Tschorn-Beers

Full Text:

Managers Cut Staff At Edmond Town Hall

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Town Hall Board of Managers voted unanimously last week to eliminate two

positions at Edmond Town Hall as a cost-saving measure.

Due to financial constraints, the five-member board eliminated the town hall's

office manager position, as well as the building manager's job. These

positions were replaced with two part-time jobs.

The move is expected to save the board $54,000 through the reduction of

salaries and benefits.

"We're trying to reduce the salary account," explained board member Bill

Honan.

In the view of the board's manpower requirements subcommittee, the Main Street

building could be staffed for the entire time it is open with fewer people.

Theater manager Tom Mahoney is expected to take on added duties to make up for

the loss in manpower. His new title is town hall superintendent, which will

encompass theater operations and general operations of the building.

The decision came as a surprise to office manager Edie Tschorn, who promptly

resigned last Thursday after nearly ten years on the job. She learned of the

board's June 30 decision after returning from vacation in North Carolina the

following day. Mrs Tschorn's voice was still on the answering machine in the

office late this week.

Board of Managers Chairman Edgar Beers reportedly offered Mrs Tschorn a newly

created part-time job, but she declined, due to the decrease in pay and loss

of benefits. Mr Beers did not return phone calls this week.

Mike Zilinick recently stepped down as town hall building manager before the

cuts were made.

Talk of the job cuts had been circulating since mid-June, prompting Mrs

Tschorn to write the board requesting that it reconsider making the cuts. She

noted that money taken in for room rentals at the town hall had increased from

$24,000 in July 1988, when she took over the job, to more than $72,000 when

she left.

"I felt it would be detrimental to cut the job," Mrs Tschorn said Tuesday.

However, box office sales at the movie theater have reportedly been too low,

leaving the managers little choice. The board created an administrative

assistant position for 24 hours per week. The board is also seeking a

part-time lead custodian.

Town hall employees said they were sorry to see Mrs Tschorn leave, especially

for all she did for the building and those who worked in it. In addition to

her regular duties, Mrs Tschorn organized small parties for the town workers

on St Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day and Easter.

"She's the only one that kept this place together," said emergency dispatcher

Carol Hayhew.

Board of Managers member Sandra Motyka said the actions taken by the board

were done with deepest regret but were considered necessary. She said the

personnel restructuring in no way reflects badly on the employees.

Mrs Motyka, Mr Beers, Mr Honan, Dave Brown and Marie Sturdevant voted to cut

the jobs.