by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Mayor John Peyton has heard the City Council’s complaints, and he’s taking action to address them.
In the last month, Peyton hired Lisa Rowe and promoted Kerri Stewart to policy director. They will team with current Council liaison Paul Crawford to improve communication between the mayor’s office and the 19 Council members. Some say it’s about time.
“Communication is key, but it’s been a problem for some time,” said Council member Jerry Holland. “If they have more people listening to us, it’s a good thing.”
Council members Lad Daniels and Sharon Copeland said Crawford, formerly of the City’s Planning Department, may have been “stretched too thinly at times.”
“I like Paul a lot and I have complete confidence in him,” said Daniels, “but as in previous administrations, you need your point man, but you’ve got to have people backing them up. Lisa and Kerri are excellent choices.”
Copeland agreed.
“No, I don’t think one person from Peyton’s office is enough because there are 19 of us and we are all very different,” she said. “Plus, there are 14 of us who represent districts with very specific issues. Bringing on more people is absolutely a positive step for both of our offices.”
Copeland said both Rowe and Stewart are off to a good start, having already met with individual Council members to discuss pending legislation.
“I’m very comfortable with both of them” said Copeland. “They’re articulate and they know what they’re doing.”
Stewart said the mayor is always looking for ways to improve relations between the two offices.
“Obviously we want to build on our strengths and shore up our weaknesses,” she said. “That’s been an office goal from the very beginning.”
Council communication, she said, will soon be more of a “two-way street”
“I’m sure it will be,” she said, “and with this increased emphasis on the Council it will be much easier to get information to them earlier. We want and need their input.”
Council member Lake Ray said he’s looking forward to the improvements.
“Does communication need to be better? Yes,” said Ray. “We need to have a dialogue if we’re ever going to get any- thing done. I do hope this change is a measure of good faith between the mayor’s office and the Council.”