01052012 - News Article - New mayor in Gary reassigns key players from Clay administration

New mayor in Gary reassigns key players from Clay administration

Post-Tribune (IN)
January 5, 2012

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GARY — Two former department heads who were let go last week have been brought back into new positions. 

And the city’s new public works director, attorney Cloteal LaBroi, insisted her legal experience will serve her well in the new role and promised changes in the way the city does business with contractors. 

Marianetta “Dee” Barber, public works director until last week under former Mayor Rudy Clay, is now the city’s human resources director, while former Chief of Staff Arlene Colvin will now run the beleaguered Community Development Department. 

Last week, the Post-Tribune reported Barber and Colvin were dismissed by then Mayor-elect Karen Freeman-Wilson. 

“One of the things I think the mayor has been pretty articulate and vocal about is seeking talent generally to fill key posts,” said newly hired Chief of Staff Bridgette “B.R.” Lane about Barber’s and Colvin’s returns. “(Freeman-Wilson) did think about staffing, and she is very thoughtful about things at a very granular level, and this is the result.” 

Last week, Freeman-Wilson announced Celita Green, the controller from the Clay administration, will remain. Lane said the new mayor will announce more key appointments, including a communications director, key economic development posts and LaBroi’s hiring. 

LaBroi, a Gary native who returned to the area from Atlanta, said she will work closely with the Board of Public Works and Safety to ensure the way contracts are awarded will not be “business as usual.” 

Under Clay, the board — made of the deputy mayor, the controller and a city attorney — regularly handed out professional services contracts at weekly board meetings without any bidding, a process accepted under state law, a former city attorney said. 

LaBroi said the bidding process will be enforced much more often. She said her legal experience will help as she reviews dozens of city contracts the board awards for a wide variety of city services and projects. 

The department needing the most stability may be Community Development. Former director Jacquelyn Drago - Hunter was removed from her post by federal U.S. Housing and Urban Development officials for being under federal indictment. 

Another manager was accused of wrongdoing but cleared her name with the city’s personnel committee. Former Interim Director Carl Jones, who was also a former assistant city attorney, was sentenced to wear an ankle bracelet following a misdemeanor conviction and still faces action from the Indiana Supreme Court’s disciplinary commission.