Mayor creates public service director position

Ironton Mayor Katrina Keith has made some changes in the structure of her administration since taking over in December.

Keith said previous recreation director Brett Thomas will take on the duties of the newly created position of public service director, which encompasses water administration, water distribution, public service, including zoning and code enforcement, as well as recreation.

“Over the years, it became very evident that the city of Ironton needed a public service director,” Keith said. “We felt that it was beneficial to restructure and operate a little differently and thought that it would save the city some money as well.”

Susan Dooley will serve as the city’s public service coordinator under Thomas and focus on the building and code enforcement as well as the administrative aspects of Thomas’ duties. Dooley previously served as the assistant to prior building and code enforcement officer John David Willis, who was terminated at the beginning of Keith’s term.

“Susan’s (Dooley) been with the city for more than 20 years,” Keith said.

Taking over the city wastewater superintendent position is Dennis Gumbert, a class III operator who previously worked as the public works director of Kenova, West Virginia.

Gumbert replaces Mike Shaw, who died last year.