Members of two ad hoc committees created after the city took over management of the Special Improvement District (SID) remain largely the same after City Council confirmed the appointments for 2023.
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The Business Committee and the Arts & Culture Committee are composed of five members, nominated by the council president (who this year is 2nd Ward Councilman Michael Cox) and confirmed by a majority vote of City Council. Members serve one-year terms.
In July 2021, City Council established two five-member ad hoc committees: the Arts & Culture Committee and the Business Committee. Those are in addition to the five-member SID Advisory Board. The ad hoc committee members initially were appointed in October 2021.
Eight members are reappointments from the previous year:
Business Committee
- Jeff Spelman, owner of The Coffee Box on East Cherry Street and Irving Street
- Michelle McTamney, financial advisor at Edward Jones on Irving Street
- Dawn White, general manager of Liberty Harley-Davidson on West Milton Avenue
- Pablo Varona, owner of Cubanu at Main and Lewis streets
- Laura Lopez of Millie and Joy Boutique on Franklin Street
Arts & Culture Committee
- Deanna Hunt, executive director of the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC),
- Armani Saahd-Tann, owner of Rahway Dance Theatre on Irving Street
- Joann Gemenden, a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment
- Pedro DaPaz, a local artist
The only new member is Hunt, who started in October as executive director of UCPAC, succeeding Craig Sumberg, who left in April after a six-month tenure.
The governing body approved a resolution (AR-40-23) at its Jan. 9 regular meeting, confirming nine appointments to the two committees. A resolution (06-23) originally on the agenda for the annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 3 — but not voted upon — had 10 appointments.
Nick Rosal of Atelier Rosal on East Cherry Street was included in that first resolution (06-23) but not the second (AR-40-23). It’s unclear why or whether a fifth member will be appointed. There were no questions or comments related to the resolution during the meeting. Heidi Loder-Rosal, his spouse, was appointed via resolution (AR-3-23) to the seat designated for the Chamber of Commerce president on the SID Advisory Board.
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