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New Niles service chief is familiar

NILES — Mayor Thomas Scarnecchia named former city councilman Edward Stredney as the new full-time service director on Friday, and council gave an initial reading on legislation to re-establish a part-time safety director.

Scarnecchia tapped retired Niles police officer George Kaniclides as the city’s new safety director.

Council met in special session Friday, voting 6-0 to place into first reading legislation to re-establish the separate positions of safety director and service director. Special meetings also have been set for 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the city building conference room to act on the legislation.

Because the safety director position was previously dissolved, council has to officially act to bring it back.

The former service director, Jim DePasquale, served as both service and safety director before being removed from his position by Scarnecchia earlier this week.

Council originally had planned to suspend the rules to give all three readings Friday on separating the two positions, but the vote of 5-1 was not enough to suspend the rules. Third Ward Councilwoman Linda Marchese cast the ”no” vote on the suspension. First Ward Councilman Frank Pezzano was absent.

Scarnecchia said it was decided to bring back the safety director position to work specifically with police and fire personnel.

”That job is very important to work with our safety forces. It is in the best interest of the city to separate the positions,” he said.

Scarnecchia said both Stredney and Kaniclides haven ”proven records.”

”They bring dedication and intelligence to these positions and have both served the city before. They come highly recommended. I know they will do a good job,” he said.

Stredney will be paid $4,254 per month as service director. When approved, Kaniclides will be paid $1,000 per month as safety director, Scarnecchia said.

Stredney, who served 10 years as a 3rd Ward councilman, has left his position with the U.S. Postal Service.

”I look forward to serving the city again,” Stredney said.

Kaniclides, who served 35 years as a police officer in Niles before retiring in 2001 as a patrolman, also worked five years as a major with the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Department.

Scarnecchia said Kaniclides is not ”a true retire-rehire” because he will receive no benefits and is part-time.

Marchese questioned Scarnecchia about how the funds for splitting the position into two would affect the city’s limited finances.

”I just don’t want at the end of the year to hear we did not have the money to do this,” she said.

Scarnecchia said there are funds available or he would not have recommended it.

Council approved appropriating $11,847 from the general fund for the safety director position as part of the ordinance.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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