Incoming mayor selects top administrator

CELINA - St. Marys Safety Service Director Tom Hitchcock will be working for Celina next year.

Newly-elected Celina Mayor Jeff Hazel, a Republican who will take office Jan. 1, this morning told the newspaper he has selected Hitchcock as Celina's next safety service director.

"We share very similar conservative philosophies," Hazel said.

The safety service director is hired by the mayor.

Hitchcock resigned from St. Marys last week. His last day with that city is Dec. 31.

Hazel served as city safety service director from 2004 to 2009 and during that time worked with Hitchcock, who was employed with Van Wert and St. Marys.

"I've worked with Tom for several years through city business," Hazel said.

Hazel said Hitchcock has professional engineering and surveying licenses and a master's degree in business administration.

Hazel said he had three qualified, knowledgeable candidates in mind when considering whom he would appoint. He originally didn't think Hitchcock would be available for the position but said he was able to secure him.

Kent Bryan, Celina's planning and community development director, also has served as the safety service director since Rick Bachelor resigned in mid-October.

The safety service director is the appointing authority for service and safety departments and plans, directs and manages administratively the police, fire, sanitary, storm sewer, street, electric utility, engineering, water distribution, water/wastewater treatment plants, zoning and subdivision, recreation and city railroad operations.

He or she also ensures the city's compliance with federal and state regulations and is responsible for city traffic regulations and personnel matters within service and safety departments.

The director also develops city policies and procedures, secures financing for capital improvement projects, conducts meetings, negotiates and administers labor union contracts and is responsible for several other duties.