Published: May 21, 2008 11:59 am      

Howard Buchanan out, Andy Vick in as head of Canal Place authority

CUMBERLAND - State leaders on Tuesday acted to effect a change in leadership of the Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority.

Gov. Martin O'Malley accepted the resignation of Howard Buchanan, chairman of the authority, effective July 1. Buchanan is expected to maintain a seat on the board after that date. His replacement is Andy Vick, executive director of the Allegany Arts Council. Vick will fill a vacant seat on the board until July 1.

Also, effective immediately, Renee Bone, Western Maryland manager for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, has been appointed interim executive director to the authority. The change is necessary, officials said Tuesday, to facilitate a smooth transition as Administrative Officer Michele Crabtree is set to retire at the end of the month.

O'Malley also accepted the resignation of board member Greg Skidmore. Buchanan said the board received Skidmore's letter of resignation Monday. In his place, O'Malley appointed Matt Diaz, director of economic development for Allegany County.

David Edgerley, DBED secretary, made the announcements Tuesday at the authority's regular monthly meeting. Edgerley said Bone is "on loan" to the board for as long as necessary to bring a "bridge of stability" to the organization. Bone said it is time for the board to take control and decide in what direction it is to go as future planning occurs.

Vick, 43, of Cumberland, said he is aware of how important the volunteer role is and is looking forward to putting the authority "back on the path of its original vision."

Vick said he learned of his possible appointment "very recently" and cited nearly 10 years of experience with the Arts Council and working with professionals and elected officials in the Cumberland area as credentials for the position - along with an appreciation for the potential success of Canal Place.

He said this role is simply "another piece of that larger puzzle" in being involved in the community.

"I'm doing this to serve the community," Vick told Edgerley after the board's executive session meeting.

The changes take place after months of debate among stakeholders - including elected officials, authority board members and Canal Place shop owners - about the effectiveness of leadership and direction among the current board.

Delegate LeRoy Myers, a proponent of "new energy" on the board, said Tuesday the changes are "better than I anticipated" and the board now has "the right people."

The board also discussed, during closed session, which member will be responsible for drafting a conceptual management plan for Canal Place. The discussion, Buchanan said, is to involve a host of people interested in seeing the venture succeed.

Also on Tuesday, Edgerley announced that Jenny Lazarus, public affairs specialist for Canal Place, has accepted a role with DBED in business development. That change is expected to take place shortly after the CanalFest/RailFest on July 12.

As the bulk of the marketing and promotions aspect of Canal Place moves under the umbrella of the Allegany County Tourism Department, it was unclear how Lazarus' position would fit into the new scheme. The board did not indicate an intent to find a replacement.

There could be further change to board membership as Colleen Peterson's term expires May 31. Peterson said Monday she was undecided whether to seek reappointment, adding it was apparent the board was to head in a new direction.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.