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Edmonston Mayor Adam Ortiz said this week that his new job as Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown's deputy chief of staff won't interfere with his mayoral duties.

"Most mayors in Maryland are working mayors," he said Tuesday. "We're volunteers in our elected service so I'll continue to hold [the mayoral] position."

Ortiz became Brown's deputy chief of staff on Aug. 19.

He previously worked for two years at the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation as director of audit and compliance.

Among the issues Ortiz will handle in his new job are veterans' affairs, health care, base realignment and domestic violence, he said.

Ortiz's involvement in the community is something many other members of Brown's staff share in common, said Mike Raia, Brown's press secretary, adding that Ortiz's skills from his previous job will transfer to his new position.

"Adam's experience at both the Department of Labor and Licensing, and in the community, across Prince George's County and Edmonston, will play a significant role in the portfolio he'll be taking on," Raia said.

Edmonston town administrator Guy Tiberio said he believed that Ortiz's new position won't affect his duties in Edmonston.

"His job is his job and governing the town is governing the town; it's two separate worlds," Tiberio said. "I think it's a tremendous opportunity for the young man and I'm glad to see it happen."

Edmonston resident Margaret Pooley said she's not concerned that Ortiz's new post will keep him away from the town.

"I'm not worried about Edmonston going without somebody guiding it," she said.

Ortiz is up for reelection in 2011.

He said this week that he expects to run for reelection, but added, "I haven't decided for sure."

E-mail Elahe Izadi at eizadi@gazette.net.