It's the start of a new era at Binghamton City Hall. After eight years, Mayor Rich David handed over the keys to his former Deputy Mayor, Jared Kraham, who is now the youngest person to ever hold the office. 

On Day 1 of the Kraham Administration, the fourth floor office is relatively empty. Binghamton's new mayor has yet to move in any personal photographs or knickknacks. The desk is bare, save for a stapler, a fountain pen, the city's 2022 budget, and a notebook in which Kraham has been taking notes during his back-to-back meetings. Before our 11 a.m. conversation, Kraham had already been in three meetings. 

"I spoke with the project head on the Water Street parking garage demolition, met with a member of city council, met with another department head on another project," says Kraham. 

 

At 30 years old, Kraham is the youngest mayor in the city's history, following the national trend of more young people running for public office. 

"Millenials are now taking over in all levels of government," says Kraham. 

Kraham says he feels his age is an advantage in guiding the city towards more high-tech opportunities. 

"Coming of age in not just the internet, but the internet of things.. we have cutting edge technology that local government really has to be on the same page as the private sector," says Kraham, "We need a chief elected official that understands that, that is thinking about the 21st century in the way that I am and can speak the same language as the people that are coming in to create those jobs."

This week, his focus is on filling some more immediate job openings within City Hall itself. 

"Public safety offices are where we have the most vacancies," says Kraham. 

 

 

Kraham has also announced his list of administrative appointments. Megan Heiman is filling Kraham's previous position as Deputy Mayor. Heiman worked as an Assistant to the Mayor for Neighborhood and Youth Affairs under the David Administration. 

After eight years as Deputy Mayor, Kraham says he's excited to finally take the reigns and make his own vision for the city a reality. 

"I look forward to a very active, a very productive next four years here at City Hall," says Kraham. 


Below are all of the new appointments made by the Kraham Administration, information courtesy of City Hall:

Sarah Glose, Director of Economic Development — Ms. Glose has worked for Empire State Development (ESD) since 2018. Most recently, she has served as a senior project manager for ESD’s Southern Tier Regional Office, overseeing a portfolio of up to 200 active grants. Previously, Ms. Glose was a leadership fellow at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, part of a distinguished two-year rotational management and leadership development program for public service-oriented individuals. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master of public administration (MPA) degree, both from Binghamton University. 

Megan J. Heiman, Deputy Mayor — Ms. Heiman has worked in City Hall since 2017 as the Assistant to the Mayor for Neighborhood & Youth Affairs. Before that, she was a newspaper reporter for the Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton and the Capital Gazette in Annapolis. Ms. Heiman has a bachelor’s degree in English, literature and rhetoric from Binghamton University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. 

Patrick McGinnis, Commissioner of Parks & Recreation — Mr. McGinnis started with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department in 2007 as a seasonal Recreation Attendant. He has worked full-time for the department for more than eight years, serving first as a Recreation Leader at the First Ward Senior Center and then as the department’s Recreation Supervisor, Assistant Director and Acting Commissioner. Mr. McGinnis has a bachelor’s degree in human services from Mount Saint Mary College. He is also a graduate of the Indiana University Parks and Recreation Executive Development Program and the North Carolina State University NRPA Supervisors Management School. 

Daniel E. Maerkl Jr., Commissioner of Public Works — Mr. Maerkl has worked for the City’s Department of Public Works for more than 30 years. He served as Street Maintenance Supervisor for approximately 15 years before taking over as head of DPW earlier this year. Mr. Maerkl also has experience with the City as a maintenance equipment operator (MEO), heavy equipment operator (HEO) and Assistant Street Maintenance Supervisor.

Brian M. Seachrist, Corporation Counsel — Mr. Seachrist has served as the City’s First Assistant Corporation Counsel since 2005. A 1996 graduate of the University of Rochester and a 1999 graduate of the SUNY Buffalo School of Law, he joined the City’s Office of Corporation Counsel in 2000. Mr. Seachrist is admitted to practice law in New York’s Third Department, the federal Northern District of New York and before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. 

 

The following appointees will continue in their same capacity under the Kraham administration: 

Dr. Juliet Berling, Director of the Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development (PHCD) — Dr. Berling has led the City’s PHCD department since 2015. Previously, she served as the director of environmental sustainability at Lourdes Hospital and as the environmental resource director for Binghamton University. Dr. Berling is also a senior adjunct lecturer in the environmental studies, geography and engineering departments at Binghamton University. She received a B.S. in environmental science from Binghamton University, M.S. in environmental science & law from Baylor University, and Ph.D. in urban and regional science from Texas A&M University.

Lori Clift, Information Technology Manager — Ms. Clift has nearly 35 years of experience with the City of Binghamton and has led the Information Technology Department for more than 20 years. She works closely with every City department, including the Binghamton Police and Fire departments, to advance technology-related initiatives and manages various City projects. Ms. Clift holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from Binghamton University.

Ronald B. Lake, P.E., City Engineer — Mr. Lake has served as City Engineer since May 2021. Previously, he was the project manager for the $274 million capital rehabilitation of the Binghamton-Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant, taking on the role in 2018. Mr. Lake has more than 50 years of engineering experience, including running his own firm, Lake Engineering. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania Military College, since renamed Widener University. 

Chuck Shager, City Comptroller — Mr. Shager has served as City Comptroller since 2014, working closely with the Mayor’s Office to deliver years of property tax cuts for residents and small businesses, grow the City’s General Fund and manage countless projects. Prior to joining the City, he was Tioga County’s budget officer and chief accountant. Previously, he worked for the Matco Group of Vestal for more than 20 years. Mr. Shager holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Le Moyne College.