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| Browning steps up |
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| News | |||
| Written by Brian McCauley | |||
| Wednesday, 02 December 2009 08:00 | |||
The Paola Public Works Department has a new director, and he’s going to have a new office to go with the job.  Craig Browning assumed his duties as the new director of public works on Nov. 23. He takes over for Gerry Bieker, who recently accepted a job as city administrator for Chapman, Kan. The Public Works Department building along Old Kansas City Road north of Paola Country Club currently is under renovation, and Browning said the changes will create a reception area, as well as some new offices. Browning has served the public works department as project manager since coming to Paola in September 2007, and City Manager Jay Wieland is confident he can step into the director role. “We are extremely pleased that Craig has agreed to serve the city of Paola in this position,” Wieland wrote in a news release. “He has worked very hard to learn the functions of the public works department and has proven his technical and leadership abilities. We look forward to working closely with him, and we know that he will successfully continue the outstanding programs and accomplishments of the public works department.” Browning, who is a Paola High School graduate and lives in Paola with his wife and daughter, said he is ready for his new role. “I am very excited about this opportunity, and I am looking forward to the new challenges this position will present,” he said. One of those challenges will be finding ways to keep the city’s streets drivable during a time when the budget is very tight. “There likely won’t be much asphalt, but more intersection and sidewalk work,” Browning said. “We’ll be in more of a maintenance mode until the budget turns around.” Still, Browning knows there will be plenty of projects to work on. His crews are already finishing up work on improvements to Walnut Street near the new fire station, as well as safety improvements to the shelter house at Wallace Park. He also would like to see the work on new restrooms being built near the loading dock at Lake Miola be complete by the first of the year. “The city of Paola Public Works staff is committed to providing the best service possible for the citizens of Paola,” Browning said. “I’m proud to be able to continue to be a part of that in this new role.”
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