After more than 25 years in economic development in Bradford,
Ray McMahon is retiring from his position as the executive director
of the Office of Economic and Community Development as of Feb.
2.

At Tuesday’s meeting of Bradford City Council, council members
approved McMahon’s retirement and appointed Sara Andrews, current
finance director/community development manager, to replace him.

“Sara and Ray have been a team for so long,” said Mayor Michele
Corignani, congratulating the two for the agency’s
accomplishments.

“There will be big shoes to fill, both literally and
figuratively,” Andrews said with a laugh.

“You’ve done a good job and you’re going to fill the position
very well,” Councilman Tom Shay told Andrews.

Council also approved on first reading a wage ordinance for
2006, which would establish McMahon’s wage at $74,485 in the
executive director’s position. Andrews, as finance director, would
garner $51,291.

When asked if Andrews’ salary would be the same as McMahon’s,
City Clerk John Peterson replied, “I wouldn’t think so.” He did not
elaborate as to whether a salary had been set for Andrews as of yet
or not.

Andrews will not take over the executive director position until
February.

When asked what McMahon would draw in pension, Peterson said he
was not sure that was public information. He referred the question
to city solicitor Mark Hollenbeck, who said he believed it was
public information, but would have to review The Era’s request to
see if the information could be released.

Long-time police officer Dominic Cercone retired from the police
force as well. Hollenbeck said he would review a request for his
pension information as well.

Cercone has been elected as magisterial district judge to serve
the City of Bradford.

Council approved hiring Shayne Miller as a probationary police
officer to fill the vacant position on the police force left by
Cercone’s retirement.