Community Corner

Plainfield Parks: Hurtado Defends Decision to Hire Peck

Retiring Executive Director Greg Bott said Wednesday is his last day.

It’s the end of an era for Plainfield Park District Executive Director Greg Bott, who said Wednesday is his last day in his current role.

On Saturday, park commissioners voted 3-1 to name Village of Plainfield Trustee Garrett Peck interim executive director — despite the fact that Bott was set to retire July 1, and a new executive director had already been chosen by the previous board.

Former Superintendent of Planning Cameron Bettin has been serving as assistant executive director since April 1, and is contracted to take over Bott’s position in July.

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While he’s been relieved of his day-to-day duties, Bott said he has agreed to work as a consultant to help with the transition through the end of June.

“I’ve also agreed to act as a consultant to the board for one year,” he added, saying he will offer advice to commissioners for a time period set to end in July 2014.

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On Tuesday, Bott said he remained unaware of the reason behind the board’s decision to end his contract less than two months before his original retirement date.

“I don’t have any answers for you,” he said.

On Saturday, Hurtado declined to answer questions regarding Bettin’s status with the park district, except to say that his contract remained valid.

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

Board member: 'I don't agree with any of this'

The decision to name Peck to helm the park district was a surprise to many, including board member Mary Kay Ludemann.

After being sworn in last week, brand-new commissioners Janet Silosky and Peter Steinys joined board president Peter Hurtado in voting to amend Bott’s contract to end May 15.

Ludemann cast the lone no vote. Fellow board member Larry Newton could not attend the Saturday morning meeting, which was announced May 9.

Silosky and Steinys officially joined the board on May 8. The same night, commissioners voted 3-2 to name Peck the park district secretary, while political consultant Doug Booth was named treasurer and Sandi Walton was tapped to become recording secretary.

Previously, park district staff performed those roles. Ludemann and Newton voted against the changes.

“I don’t agree with any of this,” Ludemann said, adding she had no idea that plans were in the works to name Peck secretary, let alone park district director.

“I’m in as much of the dark as everyone else,” Ludemann said this week. When she spotted Peck and Booth at the May 8 meeting, “I thought they were there to see their friends sworn in,” she said.

Ludemann said she also did not learn of plans for the May 11 special meeting until two days prior.

“They called the meeting 48 hours ahead of time,” she said. “I was only notified by email.”

Ludemann said she was upset with the rapid changes.

“I really, really don’t like what they’re doing,” she said. “I am not sure what the goals of the current board majority [are] or why they are making such drastic changes,” including appointing Peck as interim director, Ludemann said.

“To my knowledge, Garrett has no experience in the parks and recreation field and I don't think he has ever personally managed an organization with as many employees and diverse operations as a park district,” she said. 

Hurtado defends decision

Hurtado, meanwhile, released a statement defending the decision to name Peck interim director, saying it was “the result of careful deliberation and thorough discussion among the members of the board."

The statement, released Tuesday, continued:

"Our aim in choosing an Interim Director was to select an individual from outside the organization who could lend a systematic approach to the oversight of the district’s finances and ensure that residents receive the highest quality services at the lowest possible cost. 

Mr. Peck’s background in business and his direct experience working with and within government are professional assets which have prepared him well to tackle the tasks that lay before us.  

As the newly elected Board President, I consider it my first priority to put our park district on a path of fiscal responsibility, and fully represent the interests of taxpayers. 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 Ludemann said she doesn’t believe there is any justification for what she called “radical changes.”

Ludemann cited the park district’s AA bond rating from Standard & Poor’s and the fact that the organization has received Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for seven years in a row.

On Saturday, board members said the terms of Peck's contract will be up for discussion at the next park board meeting. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 12.


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