Intern promoted to second highest job at Lorain City Hall

LORAIN -- A 21-year-old who arrived at Lorain City Hall last month as a college intern has been named Services and Safety Director.

Heidelberg College political science major Andy Winemiller has been promoted to Service and Safety Director by Mayor John Romoser, who lost his bid for re-election Tuesday.

When Channel 3's Mike O'Mara visited Lorain's newest director, Winemiller was conferring with his Chief Deputy, Jana Gerbocova.

"Yeah, we had a minor issue with that incident today. But I think it's handled now", Winemiller told her.

It's hard for many to comprehend that the 21 year old executive running the City of Lorain was a college intern last month.

Andy Winemiller went from making $7.50 an hour as an intern in the Mayor's office to $7,500 a month as Service and Safety Director.

"We're just going to roll our sleeves up and get down to the business of running the city," Winemiller told O'Mara.

"And yeah", he added with a sheepish grin, "we'll have to do a little learning on the run."

Winemiller is now in charge of more than 100 Lorain City police officers.

He oversees a large urban fire department, currently working without a contract.

Winemiller recognizes that many city hall employees have been on the job longer than he has been alive.

Veteran workers like Deputy Joe Arendt say they are doing whatever they can to guide Winemiller.

"I'm happy", said Arendt standing in the doorway to Winemiller's new office. "He's a great guy. So I'm happy with it."

Winemiller graudated from Amherst Steele High School in 2005 and some of his former classmates aren't impressed the former class president.

Paul Kantelas said, "actually I'm a little worried."

Standing nearby, another classmate, Missy Ehman added, "I don't know. He might be in over his head. He's so young."

Tina DeMarco works for the Lorain Law Director. She doesn't understand why the lame-duck mayor chose a student in such an important position.

"A city with this many people", said DeMarco, "21 years old? How much experience does he have?"

Winemiller says he is humbled by the job and says he is determined to do a good job for the residents of Lorain.

"Yeah, maybe I run city hall," said Andy, "but at the same time I answer to every one of those residents. And I want to make sure everything goes smoothly until January when I am replaced."

Outside Lorain City Hall, Sonja Holmes said she's optimistic.

"Just because he's 21 doesn't mean he can't do a good job," said Holmes. "Age is nothing but a number."

Winemiller plans to return to Heidelberg College in January to complete his junior year.

But for the time being, the former intern is now in charge of the following departments: animal warden, building inspection, building maintenance, cemetery, city garage, community development, department of utilities, electrical, engineering, fire, parks and recreation, police, and the streets department.

Mayor-elect Tony Krasienko says he'll name a new safety-service director in January and is looking for someone with government or business experience.