SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy announced the appointments of a new Public Safety Commissioner and Director of Development on Tueday.

The new Public Safety Commissioner is Michael C. Eidens. He most recently was a New York State Judicial Hearing Officer. He previously served as Acting New York State Supreme Court Justice, Schenectady County Court Judge, and Chief Assistant District Attorney of Schenectady County. Among many other positions, he was also a Schenectady County Legislator and Chair of the Schenectady County Juvenile Justice Task Force. 

"I'd like to be available and accessible to all members of the police department and the fire department," said Eidens.

Kristin Diotte is the new Director of Development. She has served on the Schenectady Planning Commission and has been involved with projects in the Capital Region and within Schenectady, including the Mohawk Harbor Riverfront Development.

Diotte plans to innovate the city's walkability and work on finding purposes for vacant buildings.

"We can bring together people of the public, people in business, and people in the municipality to think about how we approach getting those buildings back to life," Diotte said.

Wayne Bennett, former New York State Police Superintendent, was Schenectady's Public Safety Commissioner for 10 years. He died of an illness in August. The Director of Development position has been unoccupied since the end of March.

McCarthy says announcing these appointments at the same time fits because they are interconnected.

"The public safety component of this community really fosters the opportunity for economic development. People won't move here, businesses won't consider this community unless it is safe, unless it is a community of stability," the mayor said.

Diotte begins her new role November 1. Eidens begins his duties November 13.