Peck Says He’s Not Getting Paid for Plainfield Park District Job; Special Meeting Set for Wednesday

Update: A group is planning a protest prior to the May 22 special meeting. Read — Group Plans to Protest Plainfield Park District Meeting

Village of Plainfield trustee Garrett Peck started his new role as interim executive director of the Plainfield Park District this week, but said that, for now at least, he's not getting paid.

On Friday, the board announced there will be a special meeting to discuss personnel at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, at the park district administration center, 23729 W. Ottawa St.

The board is expected to discuss personnel in closed session before coming out in open session to take a vote. Peck could not confirm whether his contract will be up for discussion, but said that even if it is, "I won't let two people be paid for the same job."

Peck took over just days after the board of commissioners held a special meeting to appoint him to the role, while voting to end Executive Director Greg Bott’s contract six weeks before his scheduled retirement. 

Former Superintendent of Planning Cameron Bettin is currently acting as assistant executive director, and is scheduled to take over Bott’s former role on July 1.

“I’m taking zero pay right now,” Peck said. “I don’t feel it’s right to have more than one person taking pay for the same job,” he added, characterising his current role as a volunteer position.

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The decision to appoint Peck to a role that had already been filled by the previous board came as a surprise to some, including commissioner Mary Kay Ludemann.

With fellow commissioner Larry Newton unable to attend a May 11 special meeting, Ludemann cast the lone no vote as new board president Peter Hurtado and newly elected commissioners Janet Silosky and Peter Steinys voted in favor of the change. 

Silosky and Steinys were sworn in at the board's May 8 meeting. A day later, the new board called the May 11 special meeting.

Read: Village Trustee Garrett Peck Named Interim Plainfield Park District Director

Board at odds over decision

Hurtado released a statement this week defending the controversial decision, saying it was his “first priority to put our park district on a path of fiscal responsibility.” He touted Peck’s background as a businessman, saying, “I am confident that the board, working in close cooperation with Mr. Peck, can bring about policies that prevent any further increases in levies and fees while maintaining the high standards of services the patrons of our facilities have come to expect.”

But the explanation didn’t sit well with Ludemann, who told WJOL’s Kevin Kollins she didn’t understand the rationale behind the decision.

“I can’t see how this is fiscally responsible,” she said, noting that Bott will continue to be paid for the executive director role until June 30. He will also work as a consultant to help with the transition, and said he has agreed to serve as a consultant to the board until July 2014.

Bettin still has a contract to become executive director starting July 1.

Ludemann — who said Hurtado told her she should not speak to the media about the controversy — added she doesn’t feel Peck is qualified for the role.

“It’s not a job for someone off the street to just waltz in with no background and think they can run the show,” she said, adding that Plainfield is the ninth-largest park district in Illinois. The park district has an $11 million budget and encompasses 42 square miles, she said.

During a May 13 appearance on Kollins’ show, Newton also said he disagreed with the decision to appoint Peck to the role.

Kollins said Hurtado was scheduled to appear on his show on Tuesday, but had to cancel due to a prior commitment. Appearing on the show instead was new park board treasurer Doug Booth, a former Plainfield pastor who currently works as a political consultant.

During his radio interview, Booth dismissed concerns about Peck’s lack of experience in recreation, saying the executive director role is a management position.

“The executive director does not need to know what kind of weeds are in the grass and how to kill them,” Booth said. “The executive director’s role is to manage people.”

Booth noted that Hurtado has known Peck for a long time, and believes he can help the park district manage its finances.

“Peter is frustrated with the board not limiting spending [and] keeping the tax rate down,” Booth said.

Read: Plainfield Parks: Hurtado Defends Decision to Hire Peck 

Permanent position for Peck?

Ludemann said she believes the new board majority would like Peck, not Bettin, to be the new executive director come July. During her May 15 WJOL interview, Ludemann pointed out that Hurtado joined the previous board in voting unanimously to make Bettin the new director.

Peck, meanwhile, said he was staying focused on his new role.

“I’ve been spending hours and hours every day getting to know the department heads, getting ready for the budget meetings next week,” he said. He added he also would like to work to increase transparency by making sure compensation for all employees are posted to the park district website.

Peck did see a bright side to the controversy generated by his new job.

“The big positive is that people are finally paying attention to the park district,” he said. 

May 22 meeting

Ludemann said that, once again, she's not sure what will be discussed at the May 22 meeting.

"I don't know what this one's for, either," she said, adding she was also displeased with a meeting being held on a weekday morning. "Now I have to take vacation time to go to this one ... It's another one of their secret meetings. I'm not too pleased about it."

Hurtado did not respond to a message from Patch on Friday.

In addition to personnel, the agenda calls for a vote to appoint a new recording secretary, despite the fact that Sandi Walton was named the district's recording secretary on May 8. At that same meeting, Peck was appointed park district secretary, and Booth was named treasurer. Previously, those roles were performed by staff.

To view the May 22 special meeting agenda, click here.