Mayor Michael A. Guido announced the appointment of Mary Laundroche as the director of the city' Department of Public Information in August, 2000. Laundroche is a former editor and longtime employee of the Dearborn Press & Guide Newspaper. Laundroche, who previously used her maiden name of Geddes, brings more than 15 years of newspaper experience to the job and firsthand knowledge of the city of Dearborn. For most of her journalism career, Laundroche reported on the events that have helped shaped present-day Dearborn, including the major residential and retail development that has taken place under Mayor Guido' direction; municipal improvement projects, such as the Civic Center; and the community' increasing diversity. Editor of the Press & Guide for four years, Laundroche directed the news and feature staff, and offered relevant commentary through opinion columns and editorials. Her news direction of the tragic February, 1999 Rouge Powerhouse explosion won a first place award in the Michigan Press Associations’ (MPA) Better Newspaper Contest. In addition, the Press & Guide took honors in the MPA' general excellence category annually from 1996-1999, years coinciding with her editorial leadership. As a writer, Laundroche received the highest recognition from the MPA for a gripping package of stories on hospice care. Most recently, Laundroche was the managing editor of the nine Eccentric Newspapers, which cover most of northern Oakland County. In that position, she was the top editorial person in the organization, in charge of 60 editors, reporters and photographers. Laundroche is a graduate of Central Michigan University' Honor College and holds a bachelor' degree in journalism and political science. Her continuing education includes completion of a 90-hour American Management Association program. Laundroche' past community involvement has included mentoring a child for the Youth Living Center and serving as a tutor and board member for the Western Wayne County Literacy Council.