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CITY BEAT
By George Murin
January 4, 3008
Washington- The new administration takes over city hall on January 7th and my sources have the scoop. Council assignments will probably look like this: Matt Staniszewski will take the street department, Virginia Ullom will take over accounts and finances, Tom Blackhurst will direct the fire department, Terry Faust will head Parks and recreation and of course Mayor Sonny Spossey will lead the police department. This is not set in stone but will likely be the line up for city council in 2008.
Spossey will likely name Roger Blyth to replace outgoing police Chief John Haddad. The replacement of Jeff Watson as city solicitor is still up in the air. Spossey’s choice of attorney Pat Smider is one possibility and the other is the law firm of Keranko and Jefferies. Some political dealing is probably in the works.
One bit of disturbing news is that the incoming city council is considering hiring new people at city hall and increasing others benefits; while still refusing to bring undermanned departments like the fire department, street department and others up to full staffing. They have said in the past they cannot hire because they are near bankruptcy, BUT IF THEY CAN AFFORD TO HIRE NEW PERSONELL OR INCREASE OTHERS BENEFITS, THEN THEY SURELY CAN FILL DEPLETED SPOTS IN VITAL DEPARTMENTS. The city is in the business of providing essential services. This is what they should concentrate on, if not, the taxpayers deserve a break.
It will be an interesting year and I look forward to covering this council as it tries to keep the city afloat.
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