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Suncoast Pinellas News

Dunedin Names Development Services Chief

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: June 19, 2008

DUNEDIN – Gregory A. Rice, head of the planning and community development division for the city of Ashland, Ky., for the last four years, has been named Dunedin's director of planning and development services.

Dunedin City Manager Robert DiSpirito said Thursday Rice was selected from a slate of 19 finalists compiled during a nationwide search.

RICE

The Dunedin development services director's job has been vacant since January, when Kevin Campbell retired after 35 years with the city.

According to a report in the online edition of The Daily Independent newspaper (Read the Full Story), Ashland City Manager Steve Corbitt called Rice's departure a great loss, noting his hands-on approach to assisting on various city projects.

There has been a universal cry of anguish in Ashland, an eastern Kentucky city of about 23,000 on the Ohio River, at the news of Rice's leaving, according to Corbitt.

Rice reportedly learned about the vacancy in Dunedin while vacationing here earlier this year and applied for the position because he wife has family members in the area.

DiSpirito said Rice brings a strong planning and management background, as well as an impressive customer service ethic to the job. He will earn about $96,000 in his new position.

"We believe he will provide leadership needed to make this critical department, in his own words, an economic development ambassador." DiSpirito said.

Rice will relocate to Dunedin with wife Debbie and two college-age children. He begins work Monday, July 7.

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