THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 5, 1995 TAG: 9501050471
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Among the City Council's priorities has been to improve the city's image in the eyes of residents as well as in the region. Five months after setting that goal, the city manager has hired someone to help promote the city.
Michael Stephens, who recently moved to Hampton Roads from California, began working as the city's public affairs director on Wednesday.
Stephens, 41, fills a post vacated in June by Tracy Renee Smith. Smith's hiring sparked controversy when the position was added without being posted within City Hall and the budget was amended to include Smith's nearly $57,000 salary.
Stephens was hired after a four-month search. Candidates included city employees and applicants from the private and public sectors. Stephens, who most recently worked for the California State Lottery as a marketing manager, will earn $52,228 annually.
Before working for the lottery, Stephens was a public information officer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
``We are going to . . . improve communications, improve the city's image and give citizens better and broader access,'' Stephens said. ``We're going to become proactive. We're going to be straightforward and honest with citizens. We're also not going to miss an opportunity to tell the story of Portsmouth.''
Stephens, a Kentucky native, said he has been excited by the positive things he has seen. His first task, he said, will be to design and carry out a public relations plan. He also plans to meet with civic and community leaders in his first month in office.
``This was the only unanimous priority established by the council members at their retreat,'' City Manager V. Wayne Orton said. ``It was one of their top goals.''
Stephens said he and his wife are searching for a home in Portsmouth. They now live in Virginia Beach. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
BILL TIERNAN/Staff
Michael Stephens, Portsmouth's new public relations director, most
recently worked for the California State Lottery as a marketing
manager. His main mission here is to improve Portsmouth's image
among citizens and the region.
by CNB