graduate of NDP and University of Maryland in College Park, Deirdre bought her first pair of shoes from Charm City Run while home visiting Baltimore from her job training dolphins in the Florida Keys. She became a part-time employee and full-time member of the Charm City Run family soon after when she stopped in to replace her shoes. Deirdre was thrilled to help Charm City Run expand to the downtown location as the store manager and coach of Charm City Run full and middle distance training groups. Over the years of involvement she has been committed to the Charm City Run energy and passion for the running community and she is a well-known face at local events. She loves the downtown fitness community and you can often findat the time, declined to continue working in the post after the City Council voted to bring her position under the control of the city - a move opposed by some business leaders.

While Graffeo didn't offer specific reasons for stepping down, she had cited issues of control and ego in her decision to leave after 2½ years on the job.

The Economic Development Authority board was also told Thursday that Graffeo's pay and severance package would be paid out of EDA reserves, something EDA Chairman Charley Johnson said was a surprise.

Johnson said the decision to hire Downtown Moorhead Inc. to handle economic development highlighted the issue of whether the EDA would have a true say in economic development.

"How is this better? And who is his boss?" Johnson asked Volkers.

Johnson