Mayor-elect McNally retains Burke as park and rec director

YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor-elect John A. McNally announced this afternoon that he intends to retain Robert Burke as city park and recreation director in the city’s new administration.

After McNally takes office Jan. 1, the park and recreation division will fall under the city’s Department of Public Works.

McNally said he hopes city council will confirm Burke’s appointment next month.

In March 2012, Burke was hired by the city’s park and recreation commission as its director after he went through the civil service employment process.

On Nov. 5, the city’s voters approved by a 64-36 percent margin a charter amendment taking effect Jan. 1, which will eliminate the five-member commission, which was created in 1935, and give the mayor the authority to hire and fire the park director.

McNally has already announced that he intends to retain fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr., Finance Director David Bozanich, Water Commissioner Harry L. Johnson III, and Buildings and Grounds Commissioner Sean McKinney.

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