St. Marys City Council has ordered an investigation of the city-owned St. Marys Convalescent Center after getting an earful about problems at the center from former employees and patients' family members.

At a special called meeting Thursday afternoon that lasted over three hours, several people emotionally detailed problems of abuse, lack of care and inadequate food. Some people specifically complained about administrator Eric Kinder.

The 78-bed facility, which is operated by the St. Marys Hospital Authority, occupies the old Gilman Hospital building on Dilworth Street.

People complained that the chairman of the hospital board, Frank Frasca, was rude when family members brought problems to his attention.

No one spoke on behalf of the convalescent center or the hospital authority at the meeting.

After hearing the testimony, City Counil adjourned into an executive session, returning to call for Mayor Roland Eskridge and City Manger Bill Shanahan to meet with the authority to discuss changes the authority had requested.

City officials were also looking into allegations that the hospital authority failed to comply with open meetings rules for a public agency.

The council also voted unanimously to look into taking legal action that could result in removing the entire authority's board.