Bloomington mayor-elect Kerry Thomson picks Larry Allen as city attorney, some interims for other slots
In a news release issued on Wednesday morning, Bloomington mayor-elect Kerry Thomson announced additional appointments that she is making for her administration, which starts in a little under two weeks, on Jan. 1, 2024.
In Thomson’s administration, Bloomington’s city attorney will be Larry Allen, who currently serves as deputy mayor. Previously announced was Margie Rice as corporation counsel, who will be head of the legal department.
Tapped as interim director of planning and transportation will be Jackie Scanlan, who currently serves as development services manager for the department.
Thomson’s pick as interim director of the housing and neighborhood development (HAND) department is Anna Killion Hanson, who is currently the department’s assistant director.
Continuing as chief of staff working out of the mayor’s office will be Josefa Madrigal, who is currently serving in that role.
According to Wednesday’s news release, two appointments in the mayor’s office, which were earlier made by outgoing mayor John Hamilton on an interim basis, will continue as part-time interim staff, while Thomson searches for permanent appointments: Angela Van Rooy, as interim communications director, and Crystal Ritter, as interim public engagement director.
Ritter will also continue to serve as community events coordinator in the parks and recreation department. Van Rooy will also continue to serve as program manager in the HAND department.
Allen was serving as assistant city attorney before he was slotted in as deputy mayor by Bloomington mayor John Hamilton, to replace Mary Catherine Carmichael, who resigned in July. Mike Rouker resigned as city attorney effective Nov. 6.
In Allen, Thomson is bringing on board the former campaign treasurer for John Hamilton and for Don Griffin. Hamilton did not seek reelection this year. Griffin’s bid for the Democratic Party’s mayoral nomination was not successful in the three-way race that Thomson won. The third candidate in that race was Susan Sandberg.
Anna Killion Hanson, who is currently the HAND department’s assistant director, will serve on an interim basis in place of John Zody, who Thomson decided not to include in her administration.
As development services manager, Scanlan reported directly to the head of planning and transportation, Scott Robinson, who Thomson decided not to include in her administration.
The current assistant director of the planning and transportation department is Beth Rosenbarger. Rosenbarger is married to city councilmember Matt Flaherty and is sister to city councilmember Kate Rosenbarger. Both councilmembers will continue their service on the council in 2024, having won reelection this year.
The communications director slot, where Van Rooy is serving as interim, was previously held by Andrew Krebbs, who resigned in the summer. The public engagement slot, where Ritter is serving as interim, was previously held by Kaisa Goodman, who resigned in mid-July.
Thomson announced her first round of appointments three weeks ago, on Dec. 1. Since then, fire chief Jason Moore has resigned, and Thomson announced she will be appointing Roger Kerr as interim.
