FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio -- City Council on Monday (Jan. 6) unanimously approved Mayor Patrick Cooney’s new appointments, which included adding Mary Kay Costello as director of public service and development and Timothy J. Riley as director of law.
“Mary Kay, who is actually a Fairview Park resident, was most recently the director of public safety service for the City of Rocky River,” Cooney said. “After the election, she reached out and offered to help me with the transition in looking for a new service director.”
At that point, the mayor said he did a little background check on Costello, who during her tenure with Rocky River worked on joint projects with Fairview Park. He also talked to former Fairview Park Mayor Eileen Patton and Service Director Shawn Leininger, both of whom spoke highly of Costello.
“The more I heard about her, the more impressed I was and thought she would be a good fit,” Cooney said. “So instead of talking to her about the transition, I offered her the position. She was very excited to help in her hometown. We’re very lucky to have her.”
For the position of law director, Cooney picked Riley, who has held the same position in Garfield Heights for a decade. In fact, the mayor recently worked under him as the assistant law director in Garfield Heights.
While serving in Fairview Park, Riley will remain the Garfield Heights law director.
“I’ve known Tim for close to 30 years,” Cooney said. “He’s seen a lot of things as a law director. He has a lot of municipal experience in dealing with police and fire issues.
“He’s negotiated union contracts and dealt with economic development projects. I’m really pleased he’ll be able to help us here," Cooney said.
The mayor also decided to keep Finance Director Gregory M. Cingle and Senior Life Director Regina Sillasen. The former has been with the city since 2015; the latter started with Fairview Park in 2003 and became a director in 2006.
“Experienced finance people are hard to find,” Cooney said. “Greg, who is part-time in Fairview Park, is the elected finance director in Brook Park. He has a good mix of public and private experience.
“Also, we have a real small senior life staff, but they do a lot. Regina does a very good job with a tight budget.”
While Cooney is retaining Building Commissioner Walter Maynard, he noted that the remaining position that needs to be filled is recreation director, with Recreation Department office manager Mary Long acting as the interim until a permanent replacement can be found.
Overall, Cooney said each member of his administration shares common traits that he believes will have a positive impact on the community.
“I describe them as experienced professionals,” Cooney said. “They’re excited for the opportunity, excited for the potential. They’re all just nice people. They all have municipal experience and they know we’re here to serve the public.”
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