Perrysburg law-director candidate list now down to 8

4/30/2008

Perrysburg officials have narrowed the field of candidates for law director to eight and are in the process of interviewing them.

The successful applicant will replace Peter Gwyn, who held the job 26 years and retired yesterday.

The job pays $77,496 to $92,625 annually along with health and retirement benefits.

The applicants are:

•Katherine Bettasso of Mentor, Ohio, former law director of the Cleveland suburb of Bedford Heights.

•Paul Janis of Cleveland, general counsel of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority.

•Matthew Beredo of Lakewood, Ohio, an attorney with Baker and Hostetler LLP.

•Paul Kennedy of Archbold, Fulton County's chief assistant prosecutor.

•Samuel Nugent of Ottawa Hills, research and policy manager for legal affairs for the Lucas County Department of Job and Family Services.

•Thomas Hays of Sylvania Township, private attorney and Lake Township solicitor.

•Paul Syring of Toledo, an attorney with the city of Toledo's law department.

•Reese Wineman of Norwalk, Ohio, solicitor for the village of North Fairfield, Ohio.

The city attracted 26 applications in all, according to Kelly Louderback, human resources director.

"The whole process has turned out fine. We have some very qualified candidates," she said.

"This is a critical appointment for the city," Administrator John Alexander said.

The city advertised in newspapers across the state and used the Web sites of the Ohio Municipal League and Ohio Bar Association.

The first round of interviews, scheduled for completion today, will winnow the number of candidates to three or four, Ms. Louderback said.

The interview team for this round consists of councilmen Maria Ermie and Tom Mackin, Finance Director Dave Creps, Ms. Louderback, and Mr. Gwyn.

A second round of interviews will reduce the field to at least two candidates, Ms. Louderback said. The interviewers for that round will be Public Service Director Jon Eckel, Councilman Tim McCarthy, Mr. Alexander, and Mr. Gwyn.

The recommendation for the new law director will be made in a third round of interviews to be done by Mayor Nelson Evans, Councilman Joe Lawless, Mr. Alexander, and Mr. Gwyn. Under the city charter, the mayor hires the law director subject to confirmation by council.

The successful candidate will be required to establish residency in Perrysburg, Ms. Louderback said.