Lorain mayor-elect Jack Bradley unveils 'new blood' at city hall (VIDEO)

LORAIN — The city's next mayor is shaking up staff at City Hall. Lorain Mayor-elect Jack Bradley is bringing on several new hires for his administration, noting in a news release that "new blood and fresh ideas" can help solve some of the city's longstanding issues. Max Upton will replace Dan Given as as safety/service director. He was director of economic development for MidTown Cleveland, a neighborhood community development organization. He was an adjunct lecturer at Cleveland State University's Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs in economic development, finance and policy. He is also a veteran. Given served on City Council for years and was named safety/service director briefly under former Mayor Tony Krasienko, then again under former Mayor Chase Ritenauer. Melissa Kemp Barnhart will be the new chief of staff, replacing Phil Dore, a former Lorain fire chief who served as the city's safety director under Krasienko. She previously held the same position at the Franklin County Recorder's office and was responsible for managing more than 70 employees, modernizing the office and starting a veterans ID card program. She was also the director of outreach and operations for the same office. In addition to her roll with the Recorder's office, Barnhart was heavily involved in Columbus politics, having worked on Democratic campaigns since the late 1990s, including for former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, according to The Columbus Dispatch. She also was involved in Lorain County Democratic Central Committee Chairman Tony Giardini's failed bid for the Ohio Democratic Party Chair in 2012. Lorain Police Lt. Ricardo Soto will be Deputy Safety/Service Director for Community Programs. Soto has been with the department since 1990, including serving in its traffic bureau and as a hostage negotiator. He is an Army veteran and 1983 Southview High School graduate. Additionally, Tina Pauley will be Bradley's executive assistant and Darlene Dowell will be Upton's executive assistant. Linda Rivera will serve as their secretary. Bradley, along with his new administration, came to The Chronicle-Telegram on Thursday morning to follow up on the mayor-elect's plans for the city. Water rates are still on his radar. He said he thinks there are state or federal grants available to pay for some projects, including replacing or upgrading the city's water treatment plant. Both options have price tags of more than $40 million. An attorney for more than 40 years, Bradley was appointed by city Democrats to the November ballot after Ritenauer resigned just days after the May primary. Bradley will be sworn in to office Dec. 31. Inaugural celebrations are slated for Saturday, Jan. 11. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.