NEWBURGH – City Manager Todd Venning is quitting as chief administrator of the City of Newburgh.
He will step down effective March 31.
City Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde is hoping for a wide search for a replacement.
“I would like to suggest that we do a national search and also happy to interview the new deputy manager as well. Hopefully we will get some good candidates,” he said.
Venning, who has served as manager for 4 1/2 years, having been appointed on May 21, 2021, has concentrated on turning the city around financially, but despite his insistence on being totally transparent, he has attempted to control the narrative by banning city department heads from talking to the media. As for himself, he has also refused to communicate with the media and assigned his chief of staff, now deputy city manager, Michael Neppl as the only spokesman.
City insiders said Venning created a hostile workplace at City Hall. Nine department heads and directors left during his tenure, purportedly because of his treatment of them.
City officials said they will outline their next steps regarding an interim manager in the coming weeks.
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