A reappointment to the boards of the Housing and Redevelopment authorities of Butler County on Wednesday turned into a verbal barrage against the authorities, the board members and the authorities’ executive director.

County Commissioner Jim Eckstein said Carolyn Paulsen should not be reappointed to the boards of both authorities because she supports eminent domain.

“Eminent domain is the last resort,” Eckstein said.

The Redevelopment Authority addresses blighted property and promotes new construction.

The commissioners voted 2 to 1 to reappoint Paulsen.

But before Eckstein voted against Paulsen’s reappointment, he expressed dissatisfaction with the other board members.

“I vote no for every one of them,” he said.

Eckstein also showed disdain for Perry O’Malley, executive director of both authorities.

“I think Perry O’Malley should be fired,” Eckstein said.

O’Malley, who did not attend the meeting, said in an interview that Eckstein is the one who is unsuited for his post.

“I think he should not be re-elected,” O’Malley said.

O’Malley predicted he would be working longer than Eckstein will remain in office. Eckstein is up for re-election in 2015.

During the meeting, Eckstein accused O’Malley of not finishing projects.

“He comes across to me as a snake oil salesman,” Eckstein said.

But Eckstein’s colleagues disagreed.

Commissioner Dale Pinkerton defended O’Malley’s work.

“He’s done a tremendous job,” Pinkerton said.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier concurred, citing O’Malley’s redevelopment efforts.

Eckstein blamed O’Malley for the deteriorated condition of the Penn Theater on Main Street in Butler, the financial woes of Kelly Automotive Park in Butler and the public involvement in the renovations of the Kaufman House restaurant in Zelienople.

“It’s the poster child for blight,” Eckstein said about the theater during an interview.

O’Malley, who formerly was the director of the city redevelopment authority, said when he was involved with the Penn Theater project, there was money slotted for improving the building facade.

However, he said funding priorities shifted after his involvement.

“That money was reallocated,” O’Malley said.

He said developing a baseball stadium and maintaining it are two different things.

O’Malley defended the Kaufman House renovations, saying the building was vacant for more than two years.

“If we don’t step in here, what happens?” he asked rhetorically.

O’Malley said Eckstein does not understand how the authorities work.

“He’s confused,” O’Malley said.

He said the redevelopment authority uses the condemnation process to raze blighted buildings.

“We never used eminent domain,” O’Malley said.

Eckstein denied he has a vendetta against O’Malley and the redevelopment authority because his Evans City house was slated for demolition by the borough.

“I don’t have a grudge,” Eckstein said during the interview.

Demolition of Eckstein’s house has been delayed while borough officials work with Eckstein on bringing his house up to building code.

The redevelopment authority receives grant funding to demolish buildings to aid municipalities in addressing blight.

Eckstein, whose primary residence is in Butler Township, insisted his fight against the authority is one of property owner rights.

“If they do it to me, they’d do it to anybody,” he said.

He claimed the process for selecting homes for demolition is inconsistent.

O’Malley said Eckstein’s house would not have been condemned if the borough didn’t have sufficient cause.

“It was a public safety and health hazard,” O’Malley said.

He also defended Paulsen, saying she’s a major asset to the authority boards.

O’Malley said Eckstein has no excuse to criticize Paulsen.

“It’s uncalled for,” O’Malley said.