Mayor Bob Corker tells City Council committee of his first staff appointments. Jim Boney, city finance director, is at his right. Also shown are Shirley Crownover and new Council members Ron Littlefield and Jack Benson.
photo by John Wilson
New Mayor Bob Corker has appointed William C. "Bill" McDonald to serve as interim administrator of the city public works department.
In his first staff assignments, Mr. Corker also said former City Councilwoman Mai Bell Hurley is signing on as a $35,000-per-year consultant on public-private partnerships.
He said his longtime associate, Mike Compton, is now in the mayor's office "as my right hand man." Mayor Corker said his services are being paid by the Corker Company at the present time.
Mayor Corker said, "Mike may stay. I think he'd love to stay."
Ken Hays was the chief assistant to Mayor Jon Kinsey, then Jim Boney filled that role after Mr. Hays became president of the RiverCity Company. Mr. Boney is aiding the mayor and also focusing on heading up city finances.
Amy Walker Cherry will also be assisting Mayor Corker "for a couple of months," he said. She will be working on initiatives that include the digital project and improving air service.
Mayor Corker said Mr. McDonald will be in the public works post for 2-6 months. He said a study by the Brown and Caldwell firm of public works will continue, and a permanent replacement will then be named.
He said Mr. McDonald is a former executive of the EMJ Corporation - a $200 million firm with operations in 30 states. He worked with Mr. Corker in Nashville when he was state finance commissioner - with Mr. McDonald overseeing all state contracts.
His pay will be based on an annual salary of $81,000. Mayor Corker said Jack Marcellis, who recently retired after heading the department for a number of years, earned about $107,000.
Mayor Corker said Ms. Hurley will help secure funding to help boost the inner-city schools. He said he expects the effort will lead to pulling up low-performing schools.
The mayor said School Supt. Dr. Jesse Register "is ecstatic" about the endeavor.
Mrs. Hurley will not be paid any fringe benefits.
Mayor Corker said he also plans to hire a media consultant on a trial basis - with the pay $5,000 per month.
He said he has not used a media consultant in the past, "but we have a number of public initiatives that we need to sell."
He said it would be determined later if that position needs to be continued.
Mr. Corker said others in the mayor's office are Beverly Tinker as well as Shirley Pond, who had taken a leave of absence to help in the Corker campaign.