Partnership for Haddonfield Seeks Replacement for Lisa Hurd

The Partnership for Haddonfield this week announced search plans to replace outgoing retail coordinator Lisa Hurd.

Hurd took a similar, full-time job in Pennsylvania last month and the PfH now must replace her part-time position here. PfH officials said the job title will change from retail coordinator to retail recruiter and the hours will change from 28 to 21 hours weekly.

PfH board members said changing the job title more accurately reflects the nature of the position. PfH board Chairwoman Susan Hodges said the hours for the position were reduced by not requiring attendance in all of the committee meetings of the PfH.

"The salary will be commensurate with experience," said Rosalie Shapiro, the board administrator.

Hurd was paid $44,257 for 28 hours weekly.

In other business, the PfH renewed the public relations contract with the Suasion Communications Group for $26,400 yearly. Suasion, headed by Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt, writes news releases and performs other public-relation functions. Officials said there were nine respondents to a request for proposal for the position but Suasion won without the low bid.

Shapiro said Suasion's "scope of services and the price" helped it win the bid. Suasion cut $2,000 off of what it was paid last year. Adelizzi-Schmidt said they were able to reduce their price because of familiarity with Haddonfield after three years with the contract.

"We have a well-oiled machine now," she said. "We can hand Haddonfield to the news media on a silver platter."

The PfH board also discussed its Valentine's Day "Love is in the Air" promotion, which runs through Feb. 14. The promotion will feature town gift-certificate discounts and store sales.

Board member Marlee Lick also complained about how dark Haddonfield looks after holiday decorations are taken down.

"Collingswood is all lit up this time of year," said Lick, proprietor of on Kings Highway. "Our town looks like we rolled up the sidewalks and went home. It looks so dark. Collingswood looks like it's open for business."

Other board members said an effort should be made to convince store owners to leave interior and exterior lights on, even when closed.