Published: January 08, 2009 06:06 pm      

Bastin named interim director of development foundation

Somerset — The Somerset-Pulaski County Development Foundation (SPCDF) board appointed Mark Bastin as the interim director of the foundation during yesterday’s special called meeting.

This comes after former director Carrol Estes suddenly retired at the end of 2008.

Bastin began at the development foundation as assistant director in April 2007, after the board decided to fill the position, which had been open for several budget years. He formerly owned and ran three steakhouses.

Meanwhile, the board, made up of area business leaders, also discussed the qualifications necessary for the position and running an advertisement for the vacancy.

“I would recommend a simple one page contract,” said Attorney John Adams.

Adams explained that the contract should tell what is expected and what would require that person to be fired if they don’t meet those needs.

Board President Don Bloomer asked that Adams work on a contract and he asked that there be a committee formed to come up with a job description for the new director.

Those who will serve on the committee include Steve Butcher, Steve Lochmueller, Bob Harris, Don Bloomer and Lisa Childers.

“Are there any requirements on behalf of the county we have to meet?,” asked Lochmueller of the judge-executive who has a position on the board.

“Not that I’m aware of,” said Pulaski County Judge-executive Barty Bullock.

The committee will meet next Tuesday to discuss the qualifications that they think will be needed for the job.

Bloomer said the board needed to fill the position on an interim basis and he recommended the board appoint Bastin to assume that role.

The board unanimously approved Bastin to that position.

To end the meeting, Bloomer told all the board members he believed they were in good hands both with the board and the staff.

“I just want to say, gentlemen, you are not obsolete, you are a very good board,” said Bloomer, “ ... people who have the community at heart.

“And our staff is very capable of performing (the foundations) functions,” he added. “We’re in very good hands.”

Absent from the meeting were Mayor Eddie Girdler, Rodney Casada and Tammy Price.

Bullock said following the meeting he believed it went well and as expected.

“I will do my best to carry on the business of the foundation, until a permanent director is found,” Bastin told the Commonwealth Journal following the meeting.