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Official cleared of harassment
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
02/13/2007
O'FALLON - The city has closed its review of a grievance filed by a former employee against Council President Peter
Cantwell and cleared the official of wrongdoing.
In October, Mayor Donna Morrow's assistant, Pat Sobelman, resigned. She told officials in a letter that Cantwell had
harassed and intimidated her in her office, causing severe stress that made her job unbearable.
In a news release, City Administrator Robert Lowery Jr. said the city took no action on the complaint because the employee
failed to appear for several scheduled meetings. Lowery said he is satisfied that anything unlawful did not take place.
Lowery said the city had encouraged the employee to file a grievance and also hired an outside attorney to investigate the
incident.
Sobelman declined to comment Monday.
Cantwell said, "I wish her all the best of luck, and I'm sorry to see she left City Hall."
Watchdog Response:
Well, Where to start? Can Mr. Lowery honestly make the statement that he is "satisfied that anything unlawful did not take
place" ? It sounds like the investigation is incomplete since no interviews with Ms. Sobelman took place. At best Peter
Cantwell violated Ordinance No.1961 which states.
No member of the Board of Aldermen shall directly interfere with the conduct of any department or duties of
employees subordinate to the City Administrator except at the express direction of the Board of Aldermen or with
the approval of the City Administrator. (Ord. No. 1961 §9, 8-21-91)
The Watchdog has learned that Mr. Cantwell paid Ms. Sobelman monthly office visits upon her return to work directly for the
Mayor shortly after the new Economic Director was hired - June 2006 through October 2006. The subject of those visits
were accusations against her character. Mr. Lowery should be questioned as to 'what he knew about these' visits each time
before Mr. Cantwell came to Ms. Sobelman's office, and why Mr. Lowery allowed this form of harassment and intimidation to
occur. None of Mr. Cantwell's visits were job related - they were accusations of dishonesty, collaboration, and paybacks.
This is what upset and pushed the Mayor's Assistant out of City Hall. Anyone who knows Ms. Sobelman will speak highly of
her integrity. But who would question a President Pro Tem's word ?
The Watchdog feels that a pattern of behavior has been developing for Peter Cantwell. A pattern that makes one question
whether Peter is psychologically fit for public service? We see Peter embroiled in three federal lawsuits from former city
employees who claim they were fired for blowing the whistle on wrong doing at city hall. Who knows how much that is going
to cost the tax payers? Combine that with Ms. Sobelman's incident and Peter's disparaging comments to the Mayor during
public meetings. It leaves little doubt Peter has some serious issues. Issues that the taxpayers of O'Fallon can't afford.
Could it be Ms. Sobelman didn't show up for the interview because she fears Peter Cantwell and Bob Lowery? Maybe she
felt the investigation wouldn't be fair and unbiased? And from Mr. Lowery's actions she would appear to be correct in her
thinking. Further Lowery actions that the Watchdog finds interesting was on Nov. 4 2006. Four days after Ms. Sobelman
resigned. Mr. Lowery was quoted in the paper as saying "the city has not begun looking for a replacement." Then on
November 17th . . . It appears to The Watchdog that someone was just waiting in the 'bullpen' for the ink to dry on Ms.
Sobelman's paperwork with the hiring of Carl Maus.
So much for any fair and unbiased investigation, Lowery already hired a replacement for Ms Sobelman. The Watchdog
feels no employee in their right mind would want to return to an abusive environment. The Watchdog feels that returning to
an abusive environment would actually weaken any future lawsuit that may be brought against the City and/or Peter
Cantwell and Bob Lowery.
Could it be Mr. Lowery wanted the Mayor's last allie out of the picture!! After all, Mr. Lowery managed to alienate four
former alderman who supported Morrow; two former city attorneys; numerous current and former city employees; and Lloyd
Reeves who even took early retirement so he could assist the Mayor in her transition to the office of Mayor and whom Mr.
Lowery saw as another threat to protecting the Mayor's back!
Just look 18 months ago Morrow was a take charge Mayor with support of the Aldermanic majority. She has since been
regulated to being the councils whipping girl who only chairs Council meetings. Everything began to change for the Mayor
when she appointed Bob Lowery as city administrator. Is it the old adage 'Divide and Conquer'? More importantly do you
think the Mayor has the wherewithal to see what's has been going on?
Ms. Sobelman we at the Watchdog wish you well and thanks for your exemplary service to our community during a difficult
time.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
02/13/2007
O'FALLON - The city has closed its review of a grievance filed by a former employee against Council President Peter
Cantwell and cleared the official of wrongdoing.
In October, Mayor Donna Morrow's assistant, Pat Sobelman, resigned. She told officials in a letter that Cantwell had
harassed and intimidated her in her office, causing severe stress that made her job unbearable.
In a news release, City Administrator Robert Lowery Jr. said the city took no action on the complaint because the employee
failed to appear for several scheduled meetings. Lowery said he is satisfied that anything unlawful did not take place.
Lowery said the city had encouraged the employee to file a grievance and also hired an outside attorney to investigate the
incident.
Sobelman declined to comment Monday.
Cantwell said, "I wish her all the best of luck, and I'm sorry to see she left City Hall."
Watchdog Response:
Well, Where to start? Can Mr. Lowery honestly make the statement that he is "satisfied that anything unlawful did not take
place" ? It sounds like the investigation is incomplete since no interviews with Ms. Sobelman took place. At best Peter
Cantwell violated Ordinance No.1961 which states.
No member of the Board of Aldermen shall directly interfere with the conduct of any department or duties of
employees subordinate to the City Administrator except at the express direction of the Board of Aldermen or with
the approval of the City Administrator. (Ord. No. 1961 §9, 8-21-91)
The Watchdog has learned that Mr. Cantwell paid Ms. Sobelman monthly office visits upon her return to work directly for the
Mayor shortly after the new Economic Director was hired - June 2006 through October 2006. The subject of those visits
were accusations against her character. Mr. Lowery should be questioned as to 'what he knew about these' visits each time
before Mr. Cantwell came to Ms. Sobelman's office, and why Mr. Lowery allowed this form of harassment and intimidation to
occur. None of Mr. Cantwell's visits were job related - they were accusations of dishonesty, collaboration, and paybacks.
This is what upset and pushed the Mayor's Assistant out of City Hall. Anyone who knows Ms. Sobelman will speak highly of
her integrity. But who would question a President Pro Tem's word ?
The Watchdog feels that a pattern of behavior has been developing for Peter Cantwell. A pattern that makes one question
whether Peter is psychologically fit for public service? We see Peter embroiled in three federal lawsuits from former city
employees who claim they were fired for blowing the whistle on wrong doing at city hall. Who knows how much that is going
to cost the tax payers? Combine that with Ms. Sobelman's incident and Peter's disparaging comments to the Mayor during
public meetings. It leaves little doubt Peter has some serious issues. Issues that the taxpayers of O'Fallon can't afford.
Could it be Ms. Sobelman didn't show up for the interview because she fears Peter Cantwell and Bob Lowery? Maybe she
felt the investigation wouldn't be fair and unbiased? And from Mr. Lowery's actions she would appear to be correct in her
thinking. Further Lowery actions that the Watchdog finds interesting was on Nov. 4 2006. Four days after Ms. Sobelman
resigned. Mr. Lowery was quoted in the paper as saying "the city has not begun looking for a replacement." Then on
November 17th . . . It appears to The Watchdog that someone was just waiting in the 'bullpen' for the ink to dry on Ms.
Sobelman's paperwork with the hiring of Carl Maus.
So much for any fair and unbiased investigation, Lowery already hired a replacement for Ms Sobelman. The Watchdog
feels no employee in their right mind would want to return to an abusive environment. The Watchdog feels that returning to
an abusive environment would actually weaken any future lawsuit that may be brought against the City and/or Peter
Cantwell and Bob Lowery.
Could it be Mr. Lowery wanted the Mayor's last allie out of the picture!! After all, Mr. Lowery managed to alienate four
former alderman who supported Morrow; two former city attorneys; numerous current and former city employees; and Lloyd
Reeves who even took early retirement so he could assist the Mayor in her transition to the office of Mayor and whom Mr.
Lowery saw as another threat to protecting the Mayor's back!
Just look 18 months ago Morrow was a take charge Mayor with support of the Aldermanic majority. She has since been
regulated to being the councils whipping girl who only chairs Council meetings. Everything began to change for the Mayor
when she appointed Bob Lowery as city administrator. Is it the old adage 'Divide and Conquer'? More importantly do you
think the Mayor has the wherewithal to see what's has been going on?
Ms. Sobelman we at the Watchdog wish you well and thanks for your exemplary service to our community during a difficult
time.
| O'Fallon Watchdog |
Exposing Corruption, Injustices and the Truth.