By Jake Palmateer
Staff Writer
ONEONTA _ Maggie Barnes is working for the city as a subcontractor in the areas of marketing, downtown development and event planning.
The former A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital spokeswoman is taking over from Mayor Dick Miller's private consulting firm, 55 Maple Street, which worked under the Otsego County Economic Development Office. That office was hired as the city's downtown developer last year on a $45,000-per-year contract.
Miller ceased his company's relationship with the city after he was elected mayor last fall.
Barnes, who will be doing business as MB Communications, will be paid under the same terms as 55 Maple Street, which was receiving $25,000 out of the county's $45,000, county Economic Developer Carolyn Lewis said Tuesday.
"None of the financial obligations by any of the parties has changed," Lewis said.
The Economic Development Office is under contract with the city until Dec. 31, 2011. The subcontract with MB Communications is effective Feb. 1 and will run the full term of the Economic Development contract.
"I am very excited about this new opportunity to promote an area I know well and care for deeply," Barnes said Tuesday. "I'm looking forward to working with the downtown merchants to highlight the myriad of good things that are happening in Oneonta."
Barnes' role will be significantly different than the services Miller was providing, Lewis said.
Because Miller, as mayor, will be working on some of the same initiatives as he would have under his subcontract, Lewis said there was room to change the scope of the subcontract.
While 55 Maple Street was solely tasked with attracting businesses and investment to the city, MB Communications will be working more closely with Main Street Oneonta to market the city, she said.
Main Street Oneonta is a private, nonprofit group of downtown merchants and others who are under a separate contract with the city for planning and promoting special events downtown.
"Maggie brings a tremendous amount of public relations and marketing experience to bring it all together," Lewis said.
"I think my skill set is a little different from Dick's," Barnes said of Miller. "I think I am more tactical, where he is more strategic."
Barnes will also be working closely with the city's housing rehabilitation specialist, Jeff House, who is involved with community development initiatives downtown, Lewis said.
Barnes said she is optimistic about Oneonta's future.
"Now that I am beginning to have more insider knowledge, I am even more so," Barnes said. "I'm very excited about this opportunity."
Barnes is also the chairwoman of the Future for Oneonta Foundation and a member of the vestry at St. James Episcopal Church in Oneonta.
The subcontract for MB Communications was approved last week by the Otsego County Board of Representatives and does not need Common Council approval, Lewis said.
