Photo: Gretchen Frazee/WFIU News
Some of the major appointments include police chief Jason Maddix and fire chief Dan Cleland.
Columbus Mayor Kristen Brown is making good on a campaign promise and appointing new heads of several city departments. The mayor has appointed dozens of new people since she was sworn in this weekend, and she says she hopes to fill the rest of the appointments by the end of the week. Brown says she wanted people who were willing to be more transparent with city government.
“We looked for people who were qualified and don’t already sit on existing city boards and commissions, and really a commitment from those individuals to be really receptive to public input,” she says.
Brown has also appointed new police and fire chiefs as well as deputy police and fire chiefs. They will be tasked with implementing some of Brown’s ideas concerning public safety.
“On the police side really putting more feet on the street,” Brown says. “Moving people out of desk jobs. Putting them back into the patrol division.”
The mayor says she also wants to increase emergency response training so first responders can better handle emergency situations.
Below are the appointments for part-time positions in the Columbus city government.
Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority
Amy Kaiser – VP, First Financial - reappointed
Otter Creek Golf Course Board
Spencer Thompson – VP, Thompson Furniture - replacing Ted Stansbury
Jim Powell – Retired, BCSC (Principal at North) - replacing Terry Coriden
Parks and Recreation Board
Nancy Ann Brown (D) – Realtor, ReMax, Former Mayor – replacing Scott Andrews
Wayne Barnett (R) – Retired from turf products industry – replacing Ryan Brand
Public Works & Safety Board
Susan Fye –Owner, Fye Rentals - replacing Judy Johns Jackson
Tom Dowd – Market President South Central Indiana, First Financial – replacing Steve Gochenour from First Financial
Alcoholic Beverage Commission
James Johns (D) – Owner, STAT Ambulance – reappointed
VIP Commission
Jan Sprague – Owner, Sprague Hotels – replacing Amit Patel
Jeff Baker – Owner, Bakers Fine Gifts – replacing Brenda Sullivan
Martha Risk – Owner, Conway Tours – replacing Randy Royer
Tamara Kiel – Owner, Annrren Group – replacing Brad Davis, MainSource Bank
Technology Advisory Committee
Jason Tracy – Network Engineer, Compu-Age – replacing Oakel Hardy
City Plan Commission
Roger Lang (R) – Owner, RELang Co. - reappointed
Commissions with positions not yet appointed:
Aviation Board
Utility Board
Animal Control Commission
Redevelopment Commission
