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19 applicants for economic position: Ravenna seeking its first director

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Diane Smith
March 18, 2010

 

By Diane Smith

Record-Courier staff writer

A total of 19 people have applied to be Ravenna’s first staff member tasked with handling economic development for the city.

Mayor Joseph Bica said as of Thursday’s application deadline, 19 resumes had been received for the Director of Community and Business Relations job. The position had been advertised sparingly, with a single ad each in the Record-Courier and the Akron Beacon Journal, plus a posting on the city of Ravenna’s Web site for 30 days.

Bica said applications came as far away as Grove City, Pennsylvania, and 18 of the applications were sent via e-mail. He had reviewed 16 of the applications, and found that all had a master’s degree or higher. Two candidates have doctorates.

Some had worked as economic development directors before, and one had served as a mayor in the tri-county area. Several resumes list awards earned, or list articles the candidates had published on development and urban planning.

“I am extremely pleased with the candidate pool,” Bica said, adding that he was delighted that so many people were willing to work for the pay rate budgeted. “We budgeted this position at $20,000 to $30,000 below the going rate.”

The postion pays between $51,300 to $65,500 per year.

Bica said he and Finance Director Kim Cecora would review all the resumes and select five candidates to be interviewed. He hoped to extend an offer to a candidate in the first week of April, with the staff member starting around April 19.

To make room for the new position, the city’s water billing office will relocate to the vacant building department offices in the RAC building. The space will be revamped as an office and conference room for the new staff member.

He said the city is dealing with “a dozen or more potential issues,” including new business, potential collaborations, and a number of programs designed to help stimulate business.

“We need to have someone on board immediately,” he said.

 




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    Posted by ppt March 18, 2010
With the economy down, how many of the 19 applicants are unemployed or under employed.

Most people today will take a lower salary because of the poor economy. The high number of applicants should of been expected. People are hurting and need work.

What is the benchmark being set by the Mayor for this position. Is this throwing good money down a drain or will this person be successful. What is the definition of success or job accomplished with this position. Is success one new business with 5 jobs for $ 51k a year defined as successful?

Will this person help current business's in town and how? Will this person be for "Buy Ravenna" or will he buy and do business with non-ravenna based companies as is happening now.

A lot of questions to be answered by the new administration.

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