City searching for next safety service director

The city of Fostoria is beginning the hunt for its next safety service director.Mayor Eric Keckler said Friday Deb Hellman submitted her resignation earlier this week with her last day being Aug. 7."Deb has done a fantastic job of helping me and the city navigate our way through this fiscal emergency and the challenges of the pandemic," Mayor Eric Keckler said Friday. "She played an integral part in reorganizing several departments and putting new policies and procedures in place."Hellman was hired by the city in August 2017 and began her duties the following month.In addition to putting policies and procedures in place Hellman, a U.S. Army veteran with years of marketing and administrative experience, was in charge of union contracts and the head of Fostoria's police, fire and municipal works departments.Fostoria Police Division posted the position on social media Friday, explaining this position is also responsible to conduct inter-governmental relations and be a leader of labor relations and personnel. "The Director will coordinate day-to-day operations of the city under the direction of the Mayor. The director responds to the public concerning all safety and service issues in a manner that establishes and maintains a good working relationship with the citizens," the post stated, A Bachelor's degree in public administration or business and a minimum of five years of experience in public administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience is a must. Prospective candidates are to send their resume, references, work and salary history to the city at 213 S. Main St.The safety service director is chosen by the mayor but must be approved by a majority vote of Fostoria City Council."It will be very difficult to replace her and her insight as we continue to make our way through," Keckler said, adding Hellman did not say what was next for her, only that it was time to move on to the next adventure.