Of Parks & Rec: A New Leaf?
Interesting to me that some of the biggest fights in Raleigh since I’ve been paying attention (10 years?) have been about parks. Remember what the city almost did to Moore Square? To say nothing of the pitched battles over Horseshoe Farm Park — finally settled once & for all the other day with the City Council’s decision to build gymnasium facilities on the nearby Syndnor White property instead of bucolic HSF — or what may be ahead over Dorothea Dix.
At the center of all the fights: the controversial former city parks and rec director, Jack Duncan, who seemed perpetually to be warring with community groups from a bunker somewhere behind his department lines. But Duncan retired a few weeks ago, and the search is on for his replacement — someone able to work with the parks groups for a change?
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Below is a message from Russell Allen, the city manager, inviting public input into the selection process. His email address is: Russell.Allen@ci.raleigh.nc.us
CITY OF RALEIGH
FROM: J. Russell Allen, City Manager
The search for Raleigh’s new Parks and Recreation Director is underway, with an application closing date of June 30. The Parks and Recreation Department provides vital services to our community, and the selection of the department’s Director is an important decision. As I proceed with the selection process, the community’s input will be important to me, and I am inviting and encouraging you to share your thoughts. Please complete this survey and return it to me by June 16, so your opinions arrive in plenty of time to play a role in shaping the selection of our next Parks and Recreation Director.
1. What are the most important challenges and objectives facing the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department now and in the years ahead?
2. What skills and qualities will a Director need most to lead the Parks and Recreation department in meeting its challenges and objectives?
3. If you could ask the Parks and Recreation Director candidates two questions, what would they be?
4. Do you have other thoughts you like to share? If so, please add them below or on a separate sheet.
I appreciate your feedback. Please respond by mail to my attention at City of Raleigh, PO Box 590, Raleigh, NC 27602. If you prefer, you may complete this survey online at www.raleighnc.gov/parksandrecdirector .
May 25th, 2008 08:29
Come on, it’s hyperbole (and self-serving) to use words like “pitched battle”, “controversial”, “warring”, and “bunker.” One would think the topic was Iraq and Bush.
There are 101 special interests advocating one thing or another for Raleigh parks. The process in Raleigh, such as it is, does a reasonably good job of sorting out the various positions and operating the parks system.