RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced a number of changes to his administration Thursday. In response to the shake-up, Stoney told 8News he’s moving in a new direction.
“This is what transparency looks like, this is what change looks like,” Stoney said.
Stoney on Thursday announced that he was replacing four department heads — two of which have been surrounded by controversy.
Stoney appointed Bobby Vincent Jr. as the city’s interim director of public works. Vincent will replace former director Emmanuel Adediran, who was scrutinized last year for his involvement in the construction of former mayor Dwight Jones’ new church.
Although an investigation conducted by Virginia State Police found that there was no criminal wrongdoing, Adediran did not receive a severance for his involvement in #Churchgate.
Also ousted was former Fire Chief Robert Creecy, who rose through the ranks of the department and was chief for more than a decade. Creecy is replaced by David Daniels, who has served as the city’s Chief Safety Officer and Deputy Fire Chief since 2015.
Creecy’s time as chief over the past few years has been shrouded in controversy. An 8News Investigation in 2013 uncovered mold and poor living conditions at several city firehouses. Last May, the leader of a Richmond firefighters union called for Creecy to step down after crews claim they were exposed to hazardous debris inside a local fire station.
Creecy, who made $143,000 annually, will get $35,776 in severance.
In the city’s Human Services Department, Debbie-Patricia Jackson will take over as interim deputy chief administrator. Johnson, who brings more than 20 years of training management experience to the job, replaces former deputy chief administrator Debra Gardner.
Gardner, who made $179,000, was paid $43,026 in severance.
In addition to the above appointments, Mayor Stoney announced Friday that Korita Jones will take over as the interim director of the Department of Human Resources.
A Petersburg native and 2005 graduate of Virginia State University, Jones most recently served as HR Division Chief of the Compensation and Benefits Division of Human Resources. Jones joined the City in 2009 as an HR consultant and has been promoted to various city positions to include Policy Analyst and HR Liaison for City Council Offices.
Jones replaces former director Johnny McLean, who took home a $152,000 yearly salary and walks away with $37,638 in severance.
“The City of Richmond is moving in a new direction,” Stoney said in a release. “I am thankful to have these experienced professionals as part of our management team and excited to see what they can do to improve our government and move our city forward.”
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