Department of Social Services gets new chief in St. Lawrence County

CANTON — The head of a housing-assistance nonprofit agency was named commissioner Monday of St. Lawrence County's Department of Social Services.

Christopher R. Rediehs was picked to head the county's largest and most expensive department during a short special session of the Legislature where lawmakers also named an interim director of public health.

Lawmakers voted 11-1 to hire Mr. Rediehs, with the dissenting vote coming from a legislator who faulted the selection because of Mr. Rediehs's lack of experience. He has never worked for a government social services agency.

"I know this is a crucial department for the county," Mr. Rediehs said. "I'll use my experience to make sure it remains a premier example in the county for social services agencies."

Mr. Rediehs is expected to take over the $27.9 million department and its approximately 240 employees in November. He has been executive director of the St. Lawrence County Housing Council since 2006 and worked 16 years as the staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York.

He replaces James W. Davis, who retired in July after 38 years of working for various DSS offices across the state. Deputy Commissioner S. Diane Wilby, who has worked for the county for 19 years, has been serving in the interim.

The criticism over the selection was similar to what dissenting lawmakers said in 2007 about the hiring of Karen M. St. Hilaire as county administrator. Ms. St. Hilaire had also not worked in government.

"It'd be disingenuous for me not to express my concerns," said Legislator Thomas A. Nichols, R-Oswegatchie. "I feel the candidate needs to have a great deal of experience. I do not feel the candidate has the amount and kinds of experience needed at this time."

Two lawmakers rebutted.

"His education level was superior to any other applicant," said Legislator Charles E. House Jr., D-Potsdam, of the search committee. "He'll show respect for the people he supervises and compassion for the people he serves."

Mr. Rediehs has a law degree from the University of Minnesota and a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

He is no stranger to legislators. He is the former chairman of the Environmental Management Council advisory board and has served on the decision-making bodies of various nonprofits including Cerebral Palsy of the North Country, the county Fair Housing Task Force and Community Energy Services.

He lives in Canton with his wife Laura.

Legislators also appointed public health deputy Deborah M. Kent the department's interim director and increased her salary to $66,500. She replaces William J. Serafin, who is retiring Friday. Mr. Serafin, the former director of county health, mental health and community services, returned in 2007 with the understanding that his appointment would be temporary.