By Syrena Lynn Carver
A short interview with Jessica Cleveland, now the full time Deputy Mayor for the city:
Three days into her role as full-time Deputy Mayor, it’s business as usual. Jessica will be performing the same jobs as before but will now also serve in a supporting role with the HAT program and CODES.
When asked what her duties would be in those capacities, she replied, “it’s too early to comment on a definitive role, we want to determine the needs of the community before making any changes [HAT].”
She also was not sure what her role would be concerning the CODES department but thought maybe it would be geared more toward blighted properties. “It’s not a defined position yet but looking to fill some areas of need.”
When asked if she had any goals, she stated that she has some goals in mind, but it is too early to commit to commenting on them at this time.
One topic that really concerned her is public announcements. She remembers the article I wrote about the Common Council meeting that approved her position: Only 2 people in attendance, and we were both from the news. She is thinking about ways to inform the public and get people more interested.
She is tossing around some ideas such as a quarterly newsletter or better Social Media presence.
This reporter is confident that Jessica will do a great job as our full-time Deputy Mayor and she has promised another interview to keep us all informed.
Read Syrena’s original reporting:
