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Family Service decides to go ‘different direction’

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By Rick McCrabb, Staff Writer Updated 7:39 AM Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Maurice Maxwell, who served as director of Family Service of Middletown for more than 25 years, is concerned how his firing is perceived in the community.

Adriane Scherrer, a board member, said Maxwell and Family Service “separated” Friday, April 10, because the board wanted to go “a different direction.”

When asked to elaborate Monday, April 13, Scherrer said the decision was “too complicated” to explain.

“Let’s leave it at that,” she said.

Scherrer said Barb Klie, assistant director, also was fired.

Scherrer, chairman of the board’s personnel committee, said she will serve as interim director because of her human resources and social work experience until a replacement is hired.

When contacted Monday, Maxwell said the board’s decision had nothing to do with “mismanagement” of funds and Family Service recently passed an audit. And since 2003 annual revenues for Family Services jumped from $227,056 to $1.02 million this past fiscal year, according to agency’s tax filings.

He called being released “an awkward” situation because of his lengthy service to the Middletown community.

Maxwell, who was paid $54,816 in 2007, according to tax filings by the nonprofit agency, said he was “terribly concerned” about how his firing would be viewed.

He said there were “philosophical differences” between the board and the management team of Family Service.

He said he did “nothing wrong,” and after 25 years, he “never imagined” he’d lose his job.

Mike Sanders, executive director of the Middletown Area United Way, which helps support Family Service, said he didn’t know enough of the details to discuss Maxwell’s firing.

Now, Maxwell said, he’ll look for another opportunity, probably in the nonprofit field.

As director, Maxwell said his priority was balancing the agency’s resources with its needs.

He said the Middletown community “wrapped itself” around Family Service. He said the No. 1 goal was to bring services to the clients.

Maxwell, a Chicago native, lives in Cincinnati, but he called Middletown “home.”

Then he added: “I’m sad. I really am, but we have to move on.”

Maurice Maxwell

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The non-profit world will miss Maurice and Barb. They have been doing important work quietly, without a fuss, but making a big difference. This is a sad turn of events. Good luck Maurice and Barb

Dana
12:52 PM, 4/14/2009

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I hope that firing was for the right reason. Not because of person different. AS a citzen of Middletown there is more to this story.

rga
9:22 AM, 4/14/2009

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after 25 years, he needs to **** middletown anyway he can

Duh
6:32 AM, 4/14/2009

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