Mayor Names Finance Director

Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs has appointed Tyshammie Cooper to serve as acting director of Administration, Finance, Health and Social Services.

Cooper was formerly director of the Grants Administration and Compliance division in Jersey City. Her salary there was $65,505, according to the Jersey City personnel office. As one of three city department heads, she will receive about 40 percent more here.

Cooper may serve 90 days in acting capacity before Robinson-Briggs must get City Council approval for the appointment. In January, the mayor appointed most of her cabinet in acting capacity. After former Administration and Finance Director Norton Bonaparte left in March to become city manager in Topeka, Kan., City Administrator Carlton McGee took on the added role. But his 90-day acting directorship ran out months ago with no new candidate in sight.

Cooper will be in charge of the largest of the three departments mandated in the city’s special charter. Its divisions include purchasing, personnel, comptroller, municipal court, tax assessor, tax collector, health, social services, the Project Alert substance abuse program and the Senior Citizens Center. The other departments are Public Affairs & Safety, covering police and fire operations; and Public Works & Urban Development, which includes public works, recreation, inspections, engineering and economic development.

--Bernice Paglia