Harrisburg mayor makes his mark in department appointments

(Harrisburg) — Harrisburg’s new mayor is making changes to city departments: even his office’s positions are getting shuffled around.

Eric Papenfuse is appointing six to different positions, two of which are completely new.

“You will find that we no longer have a receptionist in the office. The two positions that were there, I have now turned into my Senior Advisor for Education and Youth, and my scheduler.”

Papenfuse says Karl Singleton will serve as his Senior Advisor for Education and Youth, while Catherine Stetler will act as scheduler for the mayor.

The jobs will come with a higher salary than pay for receptionists because of increased responsibilities, but the mayor says that will be a part of his negotiations with the City Council as they re-open the budget.

The major says he wants leaders that will give him the unvarnished truth, and encourage a healthy debate.

Aaron Johnson is slated to be the city’s Director of Public Works.

Johnson, who started with the Department of Public Works as a laborer, says he’s humbled by the mayor’s choice.

“To be asked upon to take this position is a honor to me. It’s a big honor. Like I said, I love this city. I want to see this city back to where it used to be, and it can be. Collectively, we can actually do this. Collectively, we can actually do this.”

Johnson walks into the top job at the Department of Public Works as it faces a move within the next 90 days.

Papenfuse also appointed Neil Grover to city solicitor and Bruce Weber as finance director, and Joyce M. Davis as Communications Director for the City of Harrisburg.

All the appointments need to be confirmed by the City Council, but the appointees are already on the job.