Who really fired Chris Vera (and why isn't he allowed on borough property)?

 

Frank Doutrich addresses council at the March 27 meeting.

At the March 27, 2025 Columbia Borough Council meeting, the dismissal of former market manager Chris Vera was a key topic of discussion. Vera was fired for "performance concerns," according to a March 5 letter of termination. 

Columbia Borough Manager Steven Kaufhold stated the firing "wasn't an easy decision" and noted that council was criticized on social media about the termination. Kaufhold explained that, as borough manager, difficult decisions sometimes need to be made, but he emphasized: "The sole decision to terminate Chris was mine."

Kaufhold: "The sole decision to terminate Chris was mine." [Columbia Spy file photo]

Resident Frank Doutrich addressed council with concerns: "I don't know what he's done, but council didn't make it great or easy by saying he's not allowed on the borough property. I don't know where you people are coming from when you bring that out." (Doutrich was referring to a March 12 letter of no trespass informing Vera that he is not allowed on borough property. Vera provided that letter to Columbia Spy, which is published HERE.)

Doutrich, who said he has attended council meetings for over 50 years, questioned how council could implement such a policy, asking: "What if he's got to come in here and pay a bill? What if he gets a ticket, and he's got to go pay the ticket? He's not allowed on borough property?" 

Councilwoman Barb Fisher said she didn't know of the letter until that night: "This is news to me. So to say that council did that, I had no idea that was done until tonight and I heard it from you guys." Doutrich replied: "You didn't know that he had a letter, but I thought council makes those decisions." He added: "I didn't think the borough manager made that without council." Council President Heather Zink explained: "That's a legal decision, and that is done by our solicitor." 

To cut through the confusion, Doutrich asked directly who actually fired Vera. Kaufhold responded: "I did."

Zink: "That's a legal decision, and that is done by our solicitor." [Columbia Spy file photo]

Borough Solicitor Evan Gabel clarified, apparently addressing Zink: "He [Kaufhold] recommended to you to fire Chris. It needed to happen immediately, but council immediately pursuant to your borough code is the one who's the decision maker on this." Zink acknowledged this with "Yes," adding that council was now ratifying the termination. 

Doutrich emphasized: "I know council hires and fires. That's the way I was always taught." He also noted that Zink had said at a previous meeting that termination does not require a council vote. Zink acknowledged her error: "That was my misunderstanding. I'm sorry. And that's why I put it on [the agenda] for tonight."

Doutrich: "To say that you're not allowed on borough property, I'm sorry I can't buy that. That's just not right." [Columbia Spy file photo]

Regarding the property ban, Doutrich said: "To say that you're not allowed on borough property, I'm sorry I can't buy that. That's just not right." 

Mayor Leo Lutz characterized the property ban as "standard procedure" that had occurred "quite a few times in the past." When Doutrich asked for examples, Lutz replied: "Probably everybody that left, including officers. It's a standard management decision."

Lutz: "It's a standard management decision." [Columbia Spy file photo]

 

When Doutrich asked if Vera would be arrested for coming to pay a bill, Gabel confirmed: "That is correct." Gabel explained: "Part of that letter is that he is not a resident of the borough, so there's far less reason for him to ever come onto borough property, if he's not an employee of the borough, which he no longer is. The intent of that letter was that he not come back on borough property."

Following discussion, council voted unanimously to ratify the termination of Vera as market manager.

Council then voted to hire Bonnie Link, who had been serving as interim manager since Vera’s departure. She will receive a starting annual salary of $56,822, and Kaufhold recommended she receive back pay to March 5th. Link will need to give up her market stand to avoid conflicts of interest.

When Doutrich questioned why the position wasn't advertised, Kaufhold explained it was because it is a management position. Gabel clarified: "It does not have to be advertised. No non-union position ever has to be advertised."

A letter from Chris Vera to friends and supporters of the Columbia Market House is posted HERE.