We, the undersigned residents of the City of Piqua and surrounding communities, respectfully urge the Piqua City Commission to vote against the renewal of City Manager Paul Oberdorfer’s contract.

Our city deserves leadership that listens to its citizens, operates transparently, and upholds the highest standards of integrity and accountability. Unfortunately, under Mr. Oberdorfer’s administration, many residents have lost confidence in his ability to effectively and responsibly serve our community.

Key Concerns Raised by Residents:

• Environmental Negligence: Poor handling of the old water treatment plant situation, where a local company’s burning of lithium-ion batteries caused serious pollution concerns that were not adequately addressed.
• Disregard for Citizen Input: Approval of controversial projects such as the southside rock quarry and an electrical substation beside residential properties, despite strong public opposition.
• Suppression of Public Voices: The use of trespass orders against vocal citizens—actions that led to civil rights violations and taxpayer-funded settlements.
• Questionable Management Practices: Fabricating a so-called “crisis” to justify outsourcing the city’s sanitation department to Rumpke, contrary to previous commission findings.
• Misallocation of Public Funds: Prioritizing Lock 9 Park while neglecting other city parks, closing the municipal pool despite public interest in its replacement, and borrowing from other departments to cover project costs.
• Failure to Ensure Accessibility: Refusal to provide adequate handicap-accessible parking near Lock 9 Park, leaving the area noncompliant with ADA requirements.
• Reduced Transparency: Imposing new restrictions on public comment, limiting who may speak and how long, and eliminating the broadcast of public comments from recorded meetings.
• Wasteful Spending: Using $50,000 in taxpayer funds for a “rebranding” effort that fails to reflect Piqua’s heritage or values.
• Alleged Sunshine Law Violations: Concerns over possible private meetings with a quorum of city commissioners without proper public notice, as required under Ohio law.
• Failure to Uphold Legal Obligations: Reports indicate that Mr. Oberdorfer and certain subordinates did not take their required oaths of office for several years after assuming their roles.
• Avoidance of Public Accountability: Repeatedly leaving city meetings prior to non-agenda public comment sessions, despite citizens’ requests for responses that only he could provide.
• Concerns About Personal Conduct: Ongoing community concerns about unprofessional behavior that further erodes public trust in his leadership. 

While some of these matters remain allegations, the pattern of controversy, lack of transparency, and disregard for public input demonstrates a leadership style incompatible with the values and expectations of the people of Piqua.

Our Request:
We respectfully call on the Piqua City Commission to vote NO on renewing Paul Oberdorfer’s contract and to seek new leadership that will prioritize honesty, accountability, fiscal responsibility, and genuine community engagement.

Piqua deserves better.
Join us in standing for transparent, ethical, and citizen-focused government.

Sign this petition to make your voice heard.