Massillon Mayor-elect Jamie Slutz bringing new faces to his staff starting in January

MASSILLON – Mayor-elect Jamie Slutz has finalized his administrative team, and the incoming staff will be working side-by-side with him to start the new year.

Slutz has lined up Renee Baker, a 1991 graduate of Washington High School and 2014 Distinguished Citizen, as the city's new safety-service director. She will start in the role Jan. 1.

New leadership: Massillon Mayor-elect Jamie Slutz working to assemble 2024 staff

"Renee has plenty of quality experience for the job," Slutz said. "She's a good fit, and I feel her knowledge will be a benefit to the city."

Baker recently moved back to Massillon from Nevada, where she had served as director of the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center. She also has worked in the Nevada prison system, according to Slutz, and has a criminal justice degree from the University of Cincinnati.

Ted Herncane joining new Massillon mayor's staff

In addition, Slutz is naming City Councilman Ted Herncane, D-at large, to the newly combined position of economic development and community development director. In short, the job title is to be called development director.

Herncane, a 1998 WHS grad, will also begin his new post Jan. 1 and soon resign as a councilman. City Democrats will likely pick his replacement in January.

"I like Ted's drive and energy," said Slutz of Herncane's selection. "I felt he's exactly what I'm looking for. Both he and Renee are committed to serving Massillon."

Baker will replace the retiring Barb Sylvester as safety-service director, and Herncane will fill the vacant economic development post left by the recently departed David Maley. Samantha Walters has served as the city's community development director the past few years.

Herncane, who is presently head of economic development for the Barberton Community Foundation, held the economic and community development post from 2012 to 2014 in Massillon.

"I'm excited to serve the people of Massillon and our local business community to grow our economic future," he said. "I thank Mayor-elect Slutz for selecting me for this important role."

There are several current city department directors remaining in their role under Slutz as mayor. They are Street Department Supervisor Tom Burgasser; City Engineer Alex Pitts; Chief Building Official Frank Silla; Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Tony Ulrich; Parks & Recreation Director Steve Pedro; and Income Tax/Budget Director Lori Kotagides-Boron.

Sylvester said Wednesday that she's been working on a "smooth transition" process from incumbent Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry's administration to Slutz's team.

"I think we will have a good transition," Sylvester said. "The community and ongoing efforts are important for everyone."

Added Slutz, "I can't say enough about Barb and the mayor. They've made our transition meetings comfortable and accommodating."

Mayor-elect Jamie Slutz to be sworn into office Dec. 30 in Massillon

Slutz announced that his swearing-in ceremony is set for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 30 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 190, 303 Weirich Blvd. NW.

He will be Massillon's first Republican mayor in approximately 35 years. Delbert "Skip" Demmer was a GOP mayor prior to the election of former Democrat Mayor Frank Cicchinelli.

On Nov. 7, Slutz was the victor in the race for Massillon mayor, defeating Catazaro-Perry, a Democrat, by an approximately 52% to 48% margin, according to 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 on Jan. 1.

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

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon Mayor-elect Jamie Slutz names administrative team for 2024