SAINT PAUL– Mayor Chris Coleman appointed Readus Fletcher as interim director of Saint Paul’s Human Rights Department.

He will serve in the position until a director for the new Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity is appointed. During this time, he will continue to be responsible for the Minority Business Development Program in Saint Paul.

Fletcher currently serves as director of economic opportunity in the Department of Planning and Economic Development. A Saint Paul native, he has worked in various positions with the city since 1975 and served as legislative aide in 1984 to Bill Wilson, Saint Paul’s first African-American council member.

Fletcher was a project manager on the recent Disparity Study of the City of Saint Paul and the Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority .He also worked with the city attorney to develop the recommendations from the Hall Audit of the City of Saint Paul/Housing Redevelopment Authority Efforts Related to Inclusion in City/HRA Economic Opportunities which led to the consolidation of city functions creating the new HR/EEO department.

Tyrone Terrill recently announced his resignation as director of human rights. A director for the new department is expected to be in place by January 2009.

Search continues for director of new Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity