Mayor's long-time executive departs for new role as city housing advocate

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Bill Hutchins

EMC News - The mayor's right-hand man for the past eight years is moving on - leaving city hall, but not city employment.

Geoff Coons, who served as executive assistant to former mayor Harvey Rosen and current mayor Mark Gerretsen, has accepted a new role as point man for affordable housing within Kingston's community services department.

"It's something I've been considering for a while," said Coons of his career change. "I probably wasn't put on this earth to be the mayor's EA for the rest of my life."

Coons was in Ottawa when he heard about the newly-created executive assistant job at Kingston city hall. Hired by Rosen in January 2004, Coons continued in the role when Gerretsen became mayor in 2010.

Coons says the wide-ranging job, with "duties as required," has been a learning experience.

"I've really enjoyed being the face on the mayor's office," noting that he acted as the mayor's representative and liaison whenever Gerretsen was out of city hall attending community events.

But the executive assistant's job is more than just writing speeches and briefings, monitoring the media and legislative developments, setting up appointments, sending letters to other government officials, and making sure the mayor sticks to his daily schedule. Coons also acted as the mayor's representative at several community events, which involved doing his own presentations, giving speeches or taking pictures.

He often shadowed the mayor at public events and conferences, and uploaded the 'Photo Op' pictures onto Gerretsen's Facebook page or tweeted information about Gerretsen's activities. "This mayor is a lot more dialed in to social media."

But keeping up with the demanding schedule of an elected official meant long hours and a heavy workload - a role that demands time management skills.

"The 50 and 60 hour weeks at times can be tiresome," explained Coons, adding he wants to spend more evenings with his two children, aged 9 and 11.

Coons says he's not leaving for more money, but more stable working hours and a new challenge. "That's a big consideration for me, the better home and work life balance. The mayor has a very ambitious agenda and he has needs that probably require someone that's not married and not wanting to spend more time with kids."

Mayor Gerretsen, who appeared surprised with Coons' resignation, says he will be missed.

"I'm going to miss Geoff. He knows a lot. He has a lot of contacts. So the new person will have their hands full getting up to speed."

One of the drawbacks of being the mayor's assistant is there's little room to advance their career, pay or skills, Gerretsen added. "It will be sad to see him go."

Coons' last day as the mayor's executive assistant is March 2, and he will start his new role as the city's Housing Programs Administrator on March 19. The job involves advancing council's agenda to create more affordable housing.

"It's a priority of council. I think the skills I've developed here and the relationships I've built within the community will assist with the housing program strategy," Coons explained.

He will work for community services commissioner Lanie Hurdle from the social services office at 360 Montreal Street.

The city is actively recruiting a new executive assistant for the mayor.