A national search for a director of Hamilton County's Department of Job and Family Services found that person in the county's backyard.

        Suzanne Burke, who started working for Hamilton County in 1988 and has been the county's budget director since 1995, will assume the top post of the county's largest department Jan. 1. The position pays $127,000 per year.

        Hamilton County Commissioner Tom Neyer Jr. said Ms. Burke has done such a good job and is so popular at the county that she “ought to run for pope.”

        The department is responsible for child support enforcement, services to people on welfare and protecting children and seniors.

        The department allowed millions in service contracts to expire last summer because state funding cuts have left its budget more than $30 million in the red.

Bioterror gets personal
DNA expert joins UC genetics program
New ideas shape high schools
Trophy or not, Galaxy nominees all winners
Golden Galaxy 2001 Winners
Council delays vote on housing
County unit hires director
Fuller touts inexperience
Mediator offers Mason proposal
Meeting studies college diversity
Muslim stamp tangled in politics
Tristate A.M. Report
Whites take turn in forum
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Gum, garlic?
College chasing after diversity
Goshen schools fight repeal bid
Hamilton police getting new weapon
Miami talks a slice of past
Three of 4 candidates for levy
Troupe heads to big parade
Caseworker killed on home visit
Drug-zone law fails court test
Ohio House votes to pay withheld child support
Boone Co. firms turn in letters
Company faulted in sludge spill
Doctor's plea: common sense
Firefighters join to hold benefit
Kentucky News Briefs
Ky. researchers share $3.8M in grants
'Megan's Law' attacked as excessive
Skate park gaining support