PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — The city of Parkersburg is seeking a new finance director after interim Mayor Jimmy Colombo dismissed Ashley Flowers, who earlier this year admitted to an affair with former Mayor Bob Newell.
The job posting appeared Tuesday afternoon.
Colombo told MetroNews “Talkline” the firing was about job performance. “Strictly not doing functions of her job while an employee of the city,” he said.
Colombo notified Flowers, through her attorneys, of her dismissal following a review of Parkersburg’s financial records Monday afternoon. It was Colombo’s first official day back at City Hall.
Last week, members of Parkersburg’s City Council chose Colombo by a 7-1 vote to replace Newell, who resigned June 3 prior to a hearing from a three-judge panel on a petition calling for his removal from office.
Controversy had surrounded City Hall for months.
Until Monday, Flowers had been on paid leave since February when she was arrested on child endangerment charges. At least one lawsuit has already been filed on her behalf.
Colombo addressed the possibility of legal action from Flowers.
“I would rather be sued knowing that I made the right decision and was fair and honest with the rest of the employees in this building in accordance with the same rules that they would have to follow in the same position or any other position in the city.”
“I think I did what I had to do and I think it was proper.”
Colombo also met with more than 300 employees Monday, claiming he wanted to “apologize to them for any kind of misgivings or thoughts that went through their head since this thing started.”
He said he’s focused now on restoring the city’s image. “It’s not nice to have a tarnished reputation and we’re going to work to get that back. We’re a good city.”
Colombo previously served as Parkersburg mayor from 1998 to 2005 immediately preceding the election of Newell, a former Parkersburg police chief.