Parks chief vacancy spurs concerns

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BY JOYCE RUSSELL
joycer@nwitimes.com
219.762.1397, ext. 2222 | Wednesday, April 30, 2008 | (9 comment(s))

PORTAGE | The lack of a superintendent at the Portage Parks Department has some concerned about what will happen as the department moves into the summer.

"I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst," said Jonna Paglicci, whose company, F&P Events!, caters 50 events a year at the park, 30 of them in June and July.

"They don't understand what it is like in the trenches," she said of the board. "The board doesn't understand how busy it gets. Who do we go to? None of them have any experience. Do I call them at 9 o'clock on a Saturday night when a bride is in tears?"

Paglicci wasn't assured after Monday night's meeting when the board passed a motion stating Dave Byers, director of sports management, "will take the position of leadership on site at the park department" and that the board will "take on the responsibility of exercising general supervision" by attending staff meetings, maintaining status of current projects and managing any issues that may occur.

There are details, she said, she's afraid will be overlooked, from having sufficient staff to ordering an extra trash bin for a large event.

Paglicci said she likes Byers, who has a bachelor's degree in business and master's degree in sports administration, but said he has his own responsibilities running the sports program, which also picks up during the summer months.

Board member William Fekete said he and fellow board member Pam Buhman spent part of Tuesday at the parks department. Fekete said the board's role in supervision is not to take over operations, but to "try to be more available" to staff members if there are questions or issues.

"All we are doing is trying to be available to assist them with their jobs," said Fekete, adding board members will also sit in during staff meetings.

Board member Mark Sulski said he understands Paglicci's concerns, but added that if there had been better communication between the board and Mayor Olga Velazquez, the leadership issue could have been settled by now.

Paglicci doesn't see a permanent superintendent being hired in 30 to 90 days as stated by the Park Board, especially if there is a national search initiated for retired Superintendent Carl Fisher's replacement. That, she believes, could have a long-term affect on her business if potential customers shy away from renting park facilities during the controversy.

"It is going to be worked out. How long it is going to take it is up in the air. Hopefully it will be sooner than later," said Sulski.

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We dont know Bob .. wrote on May 4, 2008 7:18 PM:

" Yes, we don't know Bob. We don't know why Bob was a high school principal, and than not. We don't know him.

We don't know why he had the Sport's Management job and decided he wanted to line the softball fields instead.

Now Bob wants to manage the entire park department. You're right we don't know Bob. Bob doesn't know Bob. If he did he would have stayed on in the sports management position and competed for the Assistant Superintendent. THEN, he would be qualified for the top spot.

Bob preferred painting lines. You're right, we don't know Bob at all. "

To Timing wrote on May 1, 2008 4:34 AM:

" And the Park Board, who knew of Carl's retirement plans before Olga was even elected, had plenty of time to decide what qualifications they wanted in the next superintendent. And if you think Bob is a "stooge" then you don't know the man. "

Timing ... wrote on Apr 30, 2008 2:45 PM:

" Look people, this was no 'surprise' to Olga Vasquez. The board made it perfectly clear that Jeff Jones was their choice and WHY Jeff Jones was their choice.

If Olga's personality with Jeff Jones was so profound, she had MONTHS to conduct a proper search for candidates. She declined to do this and instead just did what Don Glenn told her to do. Put in a couple of stooges. "

Re. Re. To Mark Sulski wrote on Apr 30, 2008 1:41 PM:

" Sorry, but you must not have seen what the Park Board is requiring of the next superintendent, which is more than what the state requires for this position. How was Olga supposed to know that they were going to do that, and why didn't the Park Board have this in place under the former mayor when Carl Fisher announced his retirement? "

Re To Mark Sulski... wrote on Apr 30, 2008 11:51 AM:

" The only reason the Board had to present the information at a Board meeting is because Olga refused to listen to them in her one-to-one meetings. What does it say about our Mayor when she can not develop proper qualifications for any city position? If she did not have a clue about the proper qualifications all she had to do was contact the Indiana or the National Recreation and Park Assoc and they would have provide the info. This is all about Olga trying to put in another crony. THANK YOU Park Board for standing up for higher standards for Portage. "

To Compromise wrote on Apr 30, 2008 10:25 AM:

" That would be fine if Zucher was qualified. His lack of experience and unwillingness to share his full back ground is why the Park Board refused his appointment in the first place.It is time for Olga to step up and do the proper search. Everyday she waits makes this more about her lack of leadership and anything else. "

Compromise ... wrote on Apr 30, 2008 8:16 AM:

" I think that the board and Vasquez need to compromise here. Do a search and hire a qualified superintendent. And allow Mr. Zurcher to serve a 6 month provisional stint as assistant superintendent. He can stay on at the discretion of the new superintendent.

Of course, if Mr. Byers is going to be handling things including the sports director position for the next three months, you'd be hard pressed to hire someone for a leadership position who could not handle being sports director.

"

Question wrote on Apr 30, 2008 5:38 AM:

" Has the Park Board considered asking Carl Fisher to return on a temporary basis, if he is available, while it searches for a new superintendent?

School systems have often used retired school administrators to fill interim positions. Why not the Park Board? "

To Mark Sulski Other Park Board Members wrote on Apr 30, 2008 4:06 AM:

" You're right--if there had been better communication between the Park Board and the mayor, this could have been resolved by now. However, you didn't even give the mayor a list of your required qualifications until Monday night's Park Board meeting, clearly several months after Carl Fisher announced his retirement. The Park Board is quick to blame the mayor without acknowledging its role in this situation. "

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