Dore is an asset for city of Lorain

Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer’s decision to bring Phil Dore, an experienced civil servant back into city government, is the right move at this time. Dore, who served as Lorain’s former fire chief and safety director, will return Nov. 6 to City Hall as Ritenauer’s deputy safety/service director, better known as chief of staff.

The 64-year-old city veteran will succeed former Chief of Staff Derek Feuerstein, who left to become city manager of Rittman, which is a city in Medina and Wayne counties.

There are two simple reasons for bringing Dore back into City Hall: His experience in city government and his work in the community.

Having someone in office who has the knowledge of both could be a positive for all.

Dore will analyze issues from both the government and the residents and will inform the mayor on the best course of action.

Ritenauer said the bottom line for him is, with the number of projects the city has going on right now, “where we’re at staffing-wise, I felt we needed an experienced hand, somebody who understands the city, who on day one can get to work.”

What the mayor said is very important, and true.

He needs someone in place who’s experienced, who understands the city and who won’t waste any time getting to work.

And, Dore is no stranger to Ritenauer.

When Ritenauer was a deputy safety-service director under Mayor Tony Krasienko, the three men worked together.

By the way, Dore will occupy Feuerstein’s former office on the seventh floor of City Hall — the same one Dore worked in the Krasienko administration.

Ritenauer remembers Dore as a dedicated hard worker who understood City Hall, and he knows many of the elected officials and department heads.

The mayor said, “I needed somebody to jump in immediately. We have so many projects going that are really exciting, they’re close to the finish line, but I need somebody to help me punch them over.”

Starting in 1975, Dore worked 30 years for the Lorain Fire Department, where he served as chief from 1999 to 2004.

From 2008 to 2011, he was director of public safety for Krasienko.

Between those public appointments, Dore worked in private industry in residential construction management.

He also has served as a volunteer member of the board of trustees for the Lorain Public Library System.

In recent years, Dore has worked as a field investigator for the Lorain Treasurer’s Office and for taxation for the city of Avon. He will step down from his work there.

During the Krasienko administration, Lorain faced tough times due to budgetary difficulties from 2008 to 2011 and issues with employees.

In July 2010, Dore had to suspend a Lorain police officer for 31 days without pay after an investigation found he was texting a teenage boy whose cell phone number he obtained while on duty.

A year later, Dore ruled a Lorain police officer was fired for abuse of powers and attending to a personal relationship while on the job.

Dore has had to make some tough and difficult decisions.

He acknowledged he received job satisfaction going to work every day trying to make Lorain a better place.

Lorain is not just where he lives, he said, it’s his hometown.

Dore said he looks forward to that feeling again and a return to his efforts working for the city.

The chief of staff tends to work as a liaison between the mayor’s office and community groups and residents.

Usually, the chief of staff position does not get as much public attention as the mayor and safety-service director, a post now held by Dan Given.

But, Dore noted, many citizens saw Feuerstein worked hard to address their concerns.

As a private citizen, Dore closely worked with Feuerstein to make Lorain better. When there were issues the city needed to know about, Dore said he approached Feuerstein.

Dore said Feuerstein performed well and was a heck of a city hall worker.

It shouldn’t be any different under Dore’s leadership because he knows the ins and outs of city government and the community.

He said he hopes to emulate that hard work and get opportunities to accomplish things in Lorain.

Dore’s return to City Hall will benefit Lorain.