NEW CASTLE Mayor-elect picks tax preparer as city business administrator

City council must approve the mayor-elect's choice.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A man who works as a tax preparer and has a side job as a radio show host is Mayor-elect Wayne Alexander's choice as city business administrator.
A seven-member committee chosen by Alexander to look for a new administrator recommended Raymond Kolodziej, 48, of New Wilmington.
Kolodziej was one of 41 applicants, five of which were interviewed by the committee, said Brian Welsh, search committee chairman.
Welsh said Kolodziej received the highest ranking of the five interviewed. All were asked the same 11 questions and the committee ranked their answers on a scale of one to five with five being exceptional, he said.
Alexander will submit Kolodziej's name along with a salary recommendation to city council for consideration in January after taking office. Welsh did not know Alexander's salary recommendation.
About the choice
Kolodziej owns a tax preparer business in the Westgate Plaza in Union Township and is the host of the weekly Sunday program "The Polish Hour" on WKST radio.
"He's been a part of this community his whole life. Owning his own business as a tax preparer makes him uniquely qualified. I think he's well respected in the community," Welsh said.
The city's current city administrator, John DiMuccio, is taking an early-retirement offer made by council. Alexander had said during his campaign that he planned to replace DiMuccio.
Council is expected to talk about the qualifications needed for a business administrator at tonight's meeting.
Members of Alexander's search committee were Welsh, Sam Biasucci, Arthur Zarone, Joe Super, Carmen Rozzi, Colin Welsh and Anthony Toscano.
cioffi@vindy.com