Crothers to direct economic growth

Mayor announces new staffing appointments

2/26/2011

Shirley Green will take on the role as deputy mayor for public safety and personnel.

THE BLADE
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Toledo's director of public utilities, who held top positions in the Ford and Finkbeiner administrations before becoming executive director of the Downtown Toledo Improvement District, will take over next month as the city's lead economic development official.

Tom Crothers will replace Dean Monske as Toledo's deputy mayor of external affairs, Mayor Mike Bell announced Friday.

"He has a very good understanding of what needs to be done from the standpoint of downtown development," Mr. Bell said.

Mr. Monske has been hired to lead the Regional Growth Partnership, a private economic development agency.

"I don't view Dean joining the RGP as a loss for the city but as the extension of our efforts and the opportunity to continue working with him and RGP as partners," Mr. Bell said. "The momentum we started with Dean will continue. I have confidence that Tom will pick up where Dean leaves off and continue collaborating with our partners — local, state, national, and international — to move Toledo forward."

Before being hired by Mr. Bell after his November, 2009, election, Mr. Crothers was executive director of the Downtown Toledo Improvement District and was also president of the Greater Downtown Business Partnership.

Mr. Crothers was the city's director of natural resources and executive officer to the mayor during the first two terms of Mayor Carty Finkbeiner.

Under Mayor Jack Ford, he was deputy director of economic and community development, finance director, and then chief of staff. He left the city when Mr. Finkbeiner was elected to a third term.

"We will continue to interface with Dean, and the city has a role as well, and that is as a facilitator of economic development," Mr. Crothers said.

Mr. Monske has been instrumental in connecting Mayor Bell with Chinese investors who have offered to purchase the city-owned Docks restaurant complex and also have expressed interest in developing the stalled Marina District.

Mr. Monske said over the next two weeks he would help move Mr. Crothers into the heart of those deals.

The mayor will be back in China in May for more targeted meetings with investors, including those interested in buying those properties on the east side. Mr. Monske is expected to go as well.

Mr. Monske on Friday said leaving the mayor's office was going to be bittersweet for him. "I'm not leaving, I'm just moving a couple of blocks over," he said.

"This partnership will continue. The things [the mayor] and I are doing will continue on," Mr. Monske said.

Mr. Bell Friday announced several other executive staff changes.

David Welch, the city's director of public service, will take over Mr. Crothers' job as director of public utilities; Ed Moore, the commissioner of streets, bridges, and harbor, will be appointed director of public service, and David Pratt will become acting commissioner of streets, bridges, and harbor, the mayor said.

Salaries have not yet been determined for those employees changing status or departments, he said.

Mr. Bell also said Shirley Green, director of public safety, overseeing police and fire services, will take on an expanded role as deputy mayor for public safety and personnel as human resources and affirmative action are brought under her administration. The changes will take effect March 14.

Contact Ignazio Messina at: imessina@theblade.com or 419-724-6171.