Mayor Josh Cohen

Next 4 years may be more costly than last 8

Hold onto your Wallets Annapolis, and tightly

MAYOR COHEN ANNOUNCES THREE APPOINTMENTS

Annapolis, MD (12-11-09) – Mayor Josh Cohen announced his next round
of appointments this week, focusing on grants, overseeing the city’s
boards and commissions and organizing special events. Two of the three
appointments fill existing positions while the third is a new position.

Mr. Cohen has appointed Lyn Farrow Collins to the new position of
Grants Coordinator. This full-time role is responsible for identifying
funding opportunities, coordinating grant application, reporting and
record-keeping, and establishing more accountability for the City-issued
grants.

Ms. Farrow Collins has broad experience in fund development. She worked
most recently as a resource development manager for The Maryland
Mentoring Partnership. She has also worked in the public and private
sectors in marketing, communications and public relations. Ms. Farrow
Collins earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from
Widener University and a master’s of science in business from Johns
Hopkins University.

“We have identified a need for better coordination and efficiencies
within our grants processes,” said Tim Elliott, Director of Finance.
“The Grants Coordinator will better position the City to strengthen
our real revenue needs to help with looming budget shortfalls.”

Mayor Cohen has named Jenelle Murph as the new Special Projects and
Events Coordinator, a full-time position previously held by Karen
Engelke. This position is responsible for coordinating most
city-sponsored events as well as overseeing the permitting process for
events such as parades, walks and festivals. Ms. Murph previously worked
as an event and marketing coordinator and performed sales work in the
pharmaceutical industry. Ms. Murph received a bachelor’s degree in
marketing from Morgan State University and an MBA from the University of
Maryland, University College.

Mr. Cohen has also appointed Hilary Raftovich as the Boards and
Commissions Coordinator, a part-time position previously held by Jim
Clark. This position is responsible for identifying vacancies and
recommending appointments for the city’s 33 boards and commissions
which advise the city on matters ranging from transportation and
recreation to aging and the environment. Ms. Raftovich has lived in the
Annapolis area for the past 14 years and previously owned a restaurant
and catering business. She earned a bachelor’s in American Studies
from Evergreen State College in Washington State.

All three positions are contractual and report to Gail Smith, Director
of Services.

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Now, let’s examine some facts and hard numbers here:

• Lynn Farrow Collins — A friend of Cohen and campaign volunteer.  Now appointed to a NEW $58,000 per year position for which there is are no budgeted funds.

• Jenelle Murph — A friend of Cohen and Alderwoman Classie Hoyle’s, oh, and yes, a campaign volunteer.  Another position reportedly paying $58,000 per year.  I need to check my facts, however, I believe her predecessor made at least $10,000 less per year.

• Hilary Raftovich — Another friend of Cohen’s and his campaign volunteer coordinator.  She is part-time and reportedly makes almost $15.00 per hour, no minimum or maximum number of hours specified for this position.

I sent an e-mail to PIO, Phill McGowan earlier this afternoon for some additional information, but have not heard back yet.  I will update this post as necessary, or who knows, depending on the information received, I may do another new post.

Don’t worry, it is only your tax $, the Mayor is spending.  He promised fiscal constraint, transparency in government, a new tone at City Hall, and that the next 4 years would be nothing like the last 8.  Oh yes, and how could I forget; that the creation of any new positions would be offset by the elimination of exisiting positions.  Let’s see, today is Day 4 of the Cohen Administration, we are +2 new positions (not including Doug Smith, our CAO) and almost up $150,000 in just Salaries, not including benefits, etc…

Stay tuned, it can only get better!