Massillon Mayor-elect Jamie Slutz working now to assemble 2024 staff

MASSILLON – Mayor-elect Jamie Slutz said a good part of his work started this week as he prepares to take office to start the new year.

Slutz said he's planning to meet with city and Stark County Republicans to help finalize a transition team and start assembling a new mayoral staff.

New office: GOP challenger Jamie Slutz defeats incumbent Massillon Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry

"I'm going to be talking to some good people and get this thing moving," said Slutz, an incumbent at-large City Councilman. "This will take some time, probably a few weeks."

On Nov. 7, Slutz was the victor in the city's race for mayor, defeating Democrat Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry by a count of 5,152 votes to 4,666, or 52% to 48%, according to unofficial results from the Stark County Board of Elections.

Slutz won 13 of Massillon's 24 voter precincts. Catazaro-Perry won 10 precincts, while one – Precinct 2A – was tied with 191 votes.

Slutz is set to take office in January.

Multiple department leaders who were part of incumbent Catazaro-Perry's staff are likely to move on as Slutz makes his choices for immediate staff positions.

One city post is already in flux, as David Maley, the city's economic development director, is leaving within the next few weeks.

Maley said he's accepted a position as the planning and development director in Louisville. He's slated to start Dec. 4.

"It's something I've been looking into," Maley said. "It looks like a good fit."

Massillon Parks & Rec director to stay under new mayor

At least one Massillon agency leader is planning to stay on for the foreseeable future. Steve Pedro, director of the Massillon Parks and Recreation Department, is sticking around.

"I like Steve a lot and we've talked about that," Slutz said.

Pedro has served as director since 2016 when he was brought on by Catazaro-Perry. He leads a department of 13 full-time workers and up to 100 part-time, seasonal and full-time employees combined during the summer months.

"I plan on being around for awhile," Pedro said.

Massillon Police Chief Jason Saintenoy and Fire Chief Matt Heck will remain at their posts. Those positions are attainted through civil service processes and testing, not solely by mayoral appointment.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon Mayor-elect Jamie Slutz starts work to assemble staff, team