The city of Taneytown is in the throes of hiring, with the most recent new addition being a new director of economic development.

Robert (Bob) Jones started as the economic development director on June 6 at an annual salary of $58,154, City Manager James Wieprecht said.

According to Mayor Chris Miller, Jones is a longtime Frederick resident and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland’s College of Housing and Applied Design. He spent seven years as a senior facilities planner at Litton Industries, then launched his own firm — Jones & Eberhardt Inc., where he worked for 20 years.

“Bob is a recognized community leader, playing a key role in the organization of The South End Coalition in Frederick, earning both a governor’s community service award and a U.S. Attorney’s award for his work on public safety and the South End Citizens Patrol. His service as commissioner and vice chair of the Frederick City Historic Preservation Commission highlights his dedication to safeguarding local heritage and fostering sustainable, people-focused growth,” Miller said in a Facebook post.

Wieprecht said the position isn’t new and Jones is the third person to fill the role.

“Bob’s primary focus for the near future will be helping to get our Main Street program back on its feet and to work with the (Maryland) Department of Housing and Community Development on administrative items related to revitalization grants,” he said.

Historically, the director of economic development has also served as the manager of the Main Streset program.

“ … At this time, we’re in a rebuilding phase for that program, so that’s expected to take most of Bob’s time in the short term,” Wieprecht said. “I’m suspect the role may shift over time, as council may set different goals or priorities in the future. But those are the initial areas of focus.”

The city is now advertising for a city attorney, asking for sealed bid proposals from qualified attorneys for the position, according to an advertisement. The deadline to submit a bid is at 3 p.m., June 30.

“The attorney’s compensation will be part of a law firm’s proposal, so we don’t have a stated salary range,” Wieprecht said.

The search for a new city attorney follows controversy surrounding former attorney, Jack A. “Jay” Gullo Jr.

In 2023, Mayor Christopher Miller announced at a City Council meeting that he had fired Gullo. Miller said at the time that Gullo’s relationship with City Council members was not impartial or professional and that Gullo put the wishes of individual council members before the needs of the city.

Council members were angry about not being consulted about the firing. In February 2024, the council unanimously passed a resolution stating Miller did not have the authority to fire the city’s longtime attorney. The council voted to reinstate Gullo, who had worked for the city for 20 years before he was fired.

‘When Mr. Gullo returned to serving as the city’s attorney last year, he committed to doing so through our May 2025 election,” Wieprecht said. “With that election completed, he has stepped away from the role of city attorney, however he is still providing services to the city as special counsel to help wrap up some items in which he’s been involved, and on an as-needed basis while we search for a law firm to represent the city.”

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