Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

February 27, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Mayor Designates Stankovich as “stimulus CZar”

Mayor James J. Fiorentini today designated DPW Director Michael Stankovich to be the local “Stimulus Czar” in charge of all stimulus projects in the City of Haverhill.  Mr. Stankovich will head the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Taskforce in charge of applying for and obtaining federal stimulus money, managing the project and prioritizing the projects.  They will make recommendations to the Mayor who will make the final decisions.

Also on the Economic Recovery Taskforce will be Mayor Fiorentini, Andrew Herlihy- Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Anthony Komornick -MVPC, William Pillsbury – Director of Economic Development and Planning, City Councilor William Ryan, Robert Ward- Deputy DPW Director, Chris D’Aveta- CDBG Director, Charles Benevento- City of Haverhill CFO, Dennis Soraghan- Haverhill Housing Authority Director, Jeff Dill- Public Facilities Director, Paul Bergman- Chairman Haverhill High School Building Committee, Peter Richardson- Haverhill Conservation Commission, Fire Chief Richard Borden- Haverhill Fire Department, Police Chief Alan DeNaro- Haverhill Police Department, Robert DeFusco – Haverhill Purchasing Agent, Superintendent of Schools Raleigh Buchanan, and Vincent Ouellette- Director of Haverhill Recreation Department.

Thus far, the City has applied for $154M in stimulus projects.  The Mayor indicated that he intends to list all of the projects on the City website:

“President Obama has asked all of the cities’ Mayors to be open and transparent with all funding coming into their cities.  We intend to comply with that request.

Starting next week, a special page will be set up on the City’s website outlining all of our requests for stimulus money and our progress in receiving it.

Starting next week, we will also have open public meetings of the Stimulus Taskforce.  The purpose of the taskforce will be to request, lobby for, and obtain stimulus money, and, under the leadership of Michael Stankovich, manage the stimulus project.

The Federal stimulus money coming to Haverhill presents us with unprecedented opportunity and an unprecedented challenge.”

The first meeting of the Mayor’s Economic Stimulus Taskforce will take place on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 8:30AM in Room 100, Mayor’s office, Haverhill City Hall.