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Ferndale delays hiring a dedicated public‑information officer after hours of debate
Summary
The council approved two communications positions — a manager and a specialist — but deferred a separate PIO role after department heads and council members debated crisis‑communications needs and staffing priorities.
The Ferndale City Council on Sept. 8 approved two new communications positions — a communications manager and a communications specialist — but chose not to approve a separate dedicated public‑information officer (PIO) at this meeting.
Communications Director Riley presented a detailed staffing proposal that would have added a manager, a specialist and a PIO. Riley said the office of one has been stretched by routine operations, crisis response and a steady workload of print and digital items, including a quarterly print newsletter and management of multiple city social accounts.
“Content shouldn’t compensate for absence,” Riley said, describing how a single staffer has managed city communications across platforms and projects.
Fire Chief Theresa Robinson, Police Captain Casey O’Loughlin and Public Works Director James Jamieson all told council…
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