The appointment of a new economic development director in York has brought a skeptical response from some quarters, but Mayor John Brenner stands by his choice, former consultant Matt Jackson.
"We're getting a very talented and experienced young man," Brenner said. "Listen, when you're out there on the firing line, not everyone likes you."
From April 2002 until last week, when York City Council
approved Jackson for his new job, Jackson worked for York as a consultant, calling himself the mayor's adviser for city initiatives. During that time, Jackson raised money for beautification projects and Brenner's 332 Fund. The fund sought donations to help the city out of financial troubles. Jackson also developed the comprehensive plan for the antiques district in the 200 and 300 blocks of West Market Street and focused on helping small business owners.
Jackson has had critics. A leader of the York County Chamber of Commerce and two York City Council members said people have shared concerns with them about Jackson, who was also appointed coordinator of the York Redevelopment Authority.
Vernon Bracey, chairman of the chamber, said he heard some business people preferred a person with more economic development experience than Jackson.
Brenner responded that Jackson has more such experience than his predecessor, Eugene DePasquale. Before working for the city, DePasquale worked as a legislative director for a state senator and as a research analyst for the state House of Representatives. Jackson previously worked as a consultant for Milton S. Hershey School and handled marketing for eHats Inc., an Internet start-up firm in Hanover, York County, which went out of business. DePasquale is 32 years old; Jackson is 31. Brenner chose Jackson for his new job after reviewing 28 applications. Contacted away from his office, Brenner said he didn't remember if most of the job candidates had more economic development experience than Jackson.
Bracey also said he heard concerns that Brenner put politics in front of finding the best candidate for the economic development job. Brenner and Jackson, who are
both Democrats, met in 1993 when they worked for then-state Sen. Mike Bortner, D-York.
"Yeah, he's (Brenner) a friend of mine," Jackson said. "But it's not
like we're best friends. I'm proud of my work."
Bracey said Jackson's appointment surprised him.
"We want someone with a successful track record of having done some substantial things in economic development," Bracey said. "...I know people that make their careers out of economic development."
Still, Bracey said, he would like York's new economic development head to work closely with the chamber. Bracey said DePasquale did not do that. DePasquale left the city Sept. 19 to become deputy secretary in charge of community and economic development for the state Department of Environmental Protection.
One of Jackson's initiatives is to create and work with Team York, which would try to attract and retain workers into the city. One of the groups that would be involved with the project is the chamber. (See "What's ahead" on this page.)
Brenner said he, too, would like the city to work more with the chamber.
York City Councilman William Lee Smallwood said York's economic development director must be able to sell York to businesses by making sure the city has good streets, sidewalks, schools, parks, police, ambulance and fire services and available space for businesses.
Smallwood complimented and criticized Jackson.
"He has a good grasp on trying to get a holistic view of programs and trying to work on them," said Smallwood, a Democrat. "But he moves very quickly from point to point. If he doesn't see something moving to fruition, he'll move on to something else."
Last month, some council members questioned expenses that Jackson charged the city for his work as a consultant. Jackson said the criticism he has experienced will not affect his work.
"I have a short memory," Jackson said. "In any job situation, if someone applied or a friend applied, there will be sour milk for a while. I expected to hear concerns.
York City Councilman Joe Musso said he has heard concerns about Jackson's people skills and lack of experience. Musso initially said he wanted more information before approving of Jackson's appointment. Musso, who also is a Democrat, later approved the appointment along with the three other council members. Councilwoman Toni Smith was unable to attend the meeting where a vote was taken, but the Democrat said she would have voted for Jackson.
Brenner addressed the people skills issue.
"I know people that think the world of Matt Jackson, and know people that don't think he's warm and fuzzy," Brenner said.
Karen Knaub is in the former group. She credited Jackson with helping her open her store, Details Home Concepts Gallery. The store, at 342 W. Market St. in York, sells unusual home accessories, art, pottery antiques and furnishings.
"The guy (Jackson) has creative ideas," Knaub said. "Yes, they're not the same ideas that the mentality of York has. People need to get over that and accept change."
WHAT'S AHEAD
Matt Jackson set the following priorities for the two roles he is assuming:
* Learn more about York's major economic development projects;
* Create Team York; and
* Continue making aesthetic improvements such as cleaning and lighting streets and sidewalks.
One major project is the Northwest Triangle project. The plan calls for developers to build up to 50 upper-middle-class homes, create a public park, extend the Heritage Rail Trail County Park and add businesses on an industrial tract in downtown York called the Northwest Triangle.
Team York was modeled after the state's Team Pennsylvania Foundation. The organization works to attract and retain workers and businesses statewide.
Team York would do that on a local level, but it would also reach out to smalland medium-sized businesses to share ideas and in formation. Now, the city only communicates with such companies when they have code and permit issues, Brenner said. Team York would include leaders from Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff Co., The Wolf Organization, Dentsply International Inc., the York County Chamber of Commerce and Main Street York Inc., Jackson said.
Tom Wolf, president of The Wolf Organization, looks forward to working with Jackson. Wolf's York-based business includes Wolf Distributing Co. and The Lumber Yard, which distribute building materials, and Baublitz Advertising.
"An economic development leader has to understand the PR (public relations), aspect of the job, and he's very good at that," Wolf said. "He understands there has to be some sense of excitement about living and working in the city to make York a destination point."
AT A GLANCE
Matt Jackson
* Title: York's director of economic development and coordinator of the York Redevelopment Authority
* Age: 31
* Work experience: Vice president of marketing for eHats Inc. in Hanover, York County, 1999-2000; consultant for Milton S. Hershey School in Derry Township, Dauphin County, 2001-2002; consultant for York, April 2002-October 2003.
* Education: Bachelor's degree, Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., 1994; Master's degree in philosophy and Anglo-Irish literature, Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, 1995; law degree, University of Chicago Law School, 1998.
JACKSON'S SECOND JOB
With two job titles, Matt Jackson's ears will soon be filled with information about economic development.
In an attempt to save money, Mayor John Brenner added responsibilities for Jackson that his predecessor, Eugene DePasquale did not have: namely, Jackson's job as York Redevelopment Authority coordinator. That work makes Jackson's position eligible for a grant.
Jackson will receive an annual salary of $60,000. The city plans to pay twothirds of that through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant program. The city would cover the rest.
The authority acquires blighted city properties and demolishes or renovates them. The authority has not had a coordinator for at least three years, Brenner said.
When York's finances improve, Brenner would like to relieve Jackson of his authority duties and hire a new authority coordinator, as well as a deputy economic development director. But the city isn't likely to do so for a while, Brenner said.
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