Healy Declines Outdoor Post, Staying On Job Until Told Otherwise, Says Told To Be "More Political"
posted March 14, 2006
) Larry Zehnder |
Mr. Healy is being offered his former position as director of Outdoor Chattanooga, the mayor said. However, Mr. Healy appeared before the City Council on Tuesday night and declined the outdoors post.
Mr. Healy said afterwards he does not know his status at city parks and recreation, and he said he will continue working "until I am told I am no longer needed." He said, "I'll be there early in the morning and probably late in the afternoon. There's a lot of things to fix in parks and recreation."
He said Mayor Littlefield had talked with him last week about the switch, and he said he told the mayor he would give him an answer on Monday. He said he advised the mayor then that he "had been hired to do a job in parks and recreation" and was not interested in going back to Outdoor Chattanooga.
Mayor Littlefield said Mr. Healy had been told he could remain at his current pay level.
Mr. Healy said he had "refused to play the political game" or to condone fraudulent spending.
Councilwoman Marti Rutherford said she was disappointed in the switch at city parks, but she said it was the mayor's decision.
The City Council proceeded to approve a contract with Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon for the services of Mr. Zehnder. The mayor said the city would also get the benefit of the expertise of other members of that firm.
The contract is $98,500 for 30 weeks.
Mayor Littlefield said the situation would be reviewed at the end of that period.
Mr. Healy read a prepared statement to the City Council:
"I am assuming by the resolution presented by Mayor Littlefield to execute a contract with Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Inc., to perform professional management services for the Department of Parks and Recreation that I have been fired from my position as the administrator.
"Over the last nine months I have been told many times to be more political. I have come to realize that this means that I must compromise my values and ethics so as to appease separate interest groups.
"I have been encouraged to look the other way when people are misusing city funds. I have been pressured to hire people that are not the best candidates for the job. Continually I have been told one thing in private and, when there is public opposition, these private commitments are not honored or voiced.
"I was hired by Mayor Littlefield to be the administrator of Parks and Recreation. It is an organization that is broken. I have started to organize a department of people that are committed to restoring it just as I am. I believe you hire great people and then you give them guidance and encouragement and try and provide them the tools they need to be successful.
"I am actively working to restore accountability, credibility and a solid work ethic in this department. I certainly disagree with the proposal to outsource the management of this department, which is one of the largest in the city, and I hope that I can finish the job I started. While my tenure may be considered controversial, I feel we have made a lot of progress and I am convinced that we are on track to meet the needs of the mayor, Council and the community. I am not afraid of the challenge to continue this important work for our community.
"I believe that decisions should be made based on what is right or wrong. You make them based on what is morally right and what is in the best interest of the citizens - not based on what is politically right, not based on what is most convenient, not on black or white, rich or poor, male or female, friend or foe, political contributor or an opponent's ally. I have worked hard to base my decisions on what is best for the great city of Chattanooga - and do what is right 100 percent of the time, not 50 percent or 60 percent.
"I really appreciate the great people I have met and worked with over the last 18 months - new friends - and people that share the same visiion of making this a better city for our children and all our citizens."
Councilman Jack Benson said he hoped Mr. Healy would reconsider not taking the outdoors job. He said, while serving in the post before, he "showed a great deal of expertise."
On the issue of fraudulent spending, Councilman Benson said the Littlefield administration had been aggressively pursuing fraud by city workers. Dan Johnson, of the mayor's office, noted that charges had already been filed against city employees and that additional charges are forthcoming.
Mr. Healy moved from Outdoor Chattanooga to city parks and recreation after Mayor Littlefield came into office and after the former parks director, Jerry Mitchell, departed.
Mr. Healy said the Outdoor Chattanooga staff was cut to one person after he went to city parks, but he said it "has still managed to be the organization that has brought to Chattanooga the Hooch - the second largest rowing event in the U.S. - as well as the organization that is bringing the Tour de Georgia to this community. Despite dramatic cuts in personnel by the current administration, Outdoor Chattanooga continues to make a dramatic impact to this community in many ways."
Mayor Littlefield said he wants to revive it, saying it needs to "take flight and reach its full potential."
He said, We are unbundling Outdoor Chattanooga so it can achieve its original purpose hopefully to move forward without being so closely tied to parks and recreation and to add more events like the Head of the Hooch and Tour de Georgia."
The offices for Outdoor Chattanooga are to be in the city-owned former Floorcoverings Building next to the Walnut Street Bridge.
Mayor Littlefield said, Larry Zehnder is a parks and recreation specialist and former employee of the City of Chattanooga under Mayor Gene Roberts. His knowledge about parks and recreation, specifically our parks and recreation department is invaluable.
Mr. Zehnder was deputy administrator of the department of Parks, Recreation, Arts & Culture from February 1992 to October 2000. He has worked for Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Inc. since September 2003 as a parks and recreation specialist. He is a certified National Parks and Recreation Administrator (NPRA) in three states and has held the office of executive director of the Southeast regional office of the NPRA.
Some of Mr. Zehnders responsibilities for the city of Chattanooga include: providing organizational direction, recruitment and placement of employees, and financial and budgetary recommendations.
Mr. Zehnder said, Im going to be going through an evaluation period identifying strengths, weaknesses and looking at the total leisure services for the City of Chattanooga. We need to assist where we can with good management principles and practices. There has been a lot of development and changes and its a matter of taking some of those changes and making sure the total organization works harmoniously.
Larry Zehnder resume:
Lawrence A. Zehnder, CPRP
Parks and Recreation Specialist, Chattanooga Office
EDUCATION:
B.S., Recreation and Park Administration, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, 1974 (with honors) - Minor area Ornamental Horticulture, Landscape Design - Grade Point 3.55 (last 60 hours)
Continuing Education:
North Carolina State University,Revenue Sources Management, 1978
University of Georgia - Executive Development Program, 1979
Graduate Success Motivation Institute (1979)
Certification
NRPA-Certified Professional in TN, SC, VA
EMPLOYMENT: Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Inc.
09/2003-Present: Parks and Recreation Specialist
10/2000 9/27/2003: Southeast Regional Executive Director
City of Chattanooga, Tennessee - Dept. of Parks, Recreation, Arts & Culture,February 1992 to October 2000: Deputy Administrator
City of Norfolk, Virginia - Dept. of Parks & Recreation
August 1981 to February 1992: Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation
City of Charleston, South Carolina Dept. of Leisure Services
June 1978 to August 1981: Assistant Director, Leisure Services
City of Athens, Tennessee Parks & Recreation Dept.
9/74 to 6/78: Director of Recreation, Human Services and Park Development
City of Greenville, South Carolina Parks & Recreation Dept.
May 1974 to August 1974: Recreation Supervisor
Administrative Assistant Park Superintendent
Cleveland, Ohio Metro-Parks District
Summer of 1972: Grounds Maintenance Employee
Affiliations
National Recreation and Park Association
Tennessee Recreation and Park Association
National Association of Parliamentarians
Professional Distinctions
National Chair Council of State Presidents
Association President in Virginia and Tennessee
CAREER SUMMARY
Larry Zehnder, CPRP, is a Parks and Recreation Specialist with over 30 years of progressive experience in the field of parks and recreation, including serving in top administrative positions with city governments and in various positions throughout the parks and recreation profession including recreation programming, facilities management, golf courses and maintenance operations, and as Southeast Regional Executive Director of the National Recreation and Parks Association. He will provide recreational facility planning expertise.
Twenty-seven years of progressive experience has been provided to the field of parks and recreation ranging in responsibility from a grounds and gardener worker with the Cleveland, Ohio Metro-Parks to top administrative positions with city governments in Athens, Tennessee; Charleston, South Carolina; Norfolk, Virginia; and the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee. These appointments have provided experience in various forms of government, including a strong Mayor/Council form to the City Manager/Council system. Serving in various positions throughout the parks and recreation profession, including recreation programming positions, zoo management, golf courses, auditorium management, cemeteries, and the management of maintenance operations, provides an exceptional background to a successful top administrator in government or related private agencies. These experiences have led to the appointment in 2000 as the Southeast Regional Executive Director of the National Recreation and Parks Association.
PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
Certified member of the National Recreation and Park Association
Past Commissioner on the McMinn County, TN., Conservation and Recreation Board
Editor, Tennessee Parks and Recreator's Journal
Board member of state associations in Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia
Program Director 1978 South Atlantic Regional ASA Umpire's School
NRPA professional certified in three states - Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia
Chairman Charleston, South Carolina Area Parks and Recreation Professionals
President, Virginia Recreation and Park Society 1989 (1200 members)
President, Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association 1998 (1000 members)
Virginia's Leadership Training Institute Board Member, Founding Co-Chair
Chairman National Recreation and Park Association Southern Regional Council
Chairman of numerous Society committees in three states
A Director of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Association
Founding Chairman of the Tennessee Leadership Development Institute
Board Member, Chattanooga Nature Center
Board Member, Reflection Riding Botanical Gardens
Chairman National Recreation & Parks Council of Affiliate Presidents, 1999-2000
Branch Staff Liaison to Citizen and Board Members Branch of NRPA 2000-2002
Board of Directors Dixie Games ( Para Olympic games qualifying event) 2002-2004
PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTIONS
Thirty year member NRPA
American Parks and Recreation Society Young Professional of the Year 1979 (National award)
Virginia Recreation and Park Society Presidential Awards, 1985, 1987
Professionally certified in three states
Harold D. Meyer Professional Excellence Award from the National Recreation and Park Assoc. in April 2000.
Numerous National Awards for Programs
EXTRACURRICULAR CONTRIBUTIONS
Present Member of the National Association of Parliamentarians
Vice-President Golden Gavel Unit of Virginia Association of Parliamentarians, 1987, Treasurer 1985, Treasurer Tennessee Unit of National Association of Parliamentarians
President Norfolk's Trinity Lutheran Church, 1990, and Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 1996-1999
Charleston, South Carolina Area United Way Committee 1979-1981, Chattanooga United Way 1995- 1998
Executive Committee Norfolk Harborfest '81-'89
Employees Federal Credit Union Supervisory Committee '87-'92
Present Member Tennessee Society of Association Executives
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
National Recreation and Park Association, Southeast United States Regional Office - Executive Director: The regional office served 5,400 members with a full range of membership benefits. The office initiated and conducted an average of eight professional conferences, workshops and schools throughout the year. These educational sessions were designed to provide the latest information in the industry including parks and facility planning, standards and guidelines, program and administration issues to name a few. The regional office served the 70 member Regional Council Professional Board representing the diverse leisure industry. The office was the regional depository and resource for information on the parks, facilities and programs in the Southeast.
Project Administration and Management
Top administrative leadership was provided to the following governmental bodies: City of Chattanooga TN., City of Norfolk VA., City of Charleston SC., City of Athens TN., with other work experience noted in Greenville SC and in Cleveland Ohio Metro Parks. The guidance and direction for complex projects, programs, events, etc., has been a part of Mr. Zehnders past work experiences. Relevant experiences that can be useful in this proposal include: In Chattanooga a system-wide 80 million dollar 10 year master plan initiated and implemented for the department of parks and recreation, which had complex ramifications for every geographical section of the city. Also in Chattanooga, Mr. Zehnder helped lead sessions for the re-vision 2000 program a citywide goals setting program involving close to 2000 citizens.
The resulting plan for the city created a blueprint of sorts for the continued economic and physical growth that is still being experienced and noted with the recently approved 30 million dollar Tennessee Aquarium expansion and the 120 million dollar waterfront development plan. Examples of specific construction projects where direct leadership and control was provided include: the Norfolk waterfront development in 1982 (A James Rouse development), the Tennessee Aquarium & Plaza construction in 1992 a 45 million dollar project, and the Walnut Street Bridge Development in 1993 creating the worlds longest pedestrian bridge.
In addition, as an employee of local government the he administered park construction projects for the following Parks and Recreation facilities: including but not limited to producing budgets, grant applications, timetables, inspections and presentations before elected bodies along with contract management.
Carver Park Master Plan, 1998
Carver Recreation Center,1997
Engel Stadium Rehab Plan,1998
Chattanooga, TN Recreation ADA Upgrades, 1994
Coolidge Park Development,1999
Tenn Riverpark Development, 92-2000
South Chickamauga Greenway Plan,1995
Brown Acres Clubhouse,1999
Brainerd Golf Course Renewal,1993
Eastgate Mall Senior Center, 1997
Brainerd Center and Park Plan, 2000
North River YMCA Indoor Pool, 2000
North Chatt Amphitheater & Playground, 1993
Chattanooga Comprehensive P&R Plan,1998
Tenn River Shore Stabilization,1998
Tenn Aquarium Plaza,1992
Harris Johnson Park Development,1996
Warner Park Zoo Master Plan,1998
East Lake Park Master Plan,1999
Indoor Softball Facility, 1996
Frost Womens Softball Stadium, 1999
Warner Park Master Plan, 1998
Town Point Park,1982
Ocean View Park Concept, 1989
Charleston SC Stadium,1980
East Ocean View Neighborhood Improvement,1991
Gen. Douglas McArthur Memorial Improvements,89
Northside Park Skatepark Facility, 1985
Norfolk Waterside Waterfront Project, 1981
Shepard Community Rec Center, 1986
Tarrellton Park and Rec Center Master Plan, 1980
Adgers Wharf original park Improvements,1980
Brittlebank Park, Charleston SC.,1979
Hampton Historical Park Master Plan, 1979
Greenville SC Zoo Landscape Plan, 1974
Heritage Park Development , Athens TN.,1976
Athens Park System Master Plan, 1975
National Recreation and Park Association, Southeast Regional Service Center - Southeast Regional Executive Director: The regional office serves the 5,400 members of the NRPA with a full range of member benefits normally found with professional/educational 501 C-3 associations. The office initiates and conducts an average of eight professional conferences , workshops and schools throughout the year, serving directly over a thousand members. One of these is a region wide conference and tradeshow which includes over 40 educational sessions and over 100 exhibitors which nets over $50,000 in proceeds to NRPA. The regional office also served as staff support to the NRPA regional council, a 70 member board consisting of professionals from all levels of government, representing the diverse field of leisure services. The office exists as a regional depository and resource for information on the industry in the Southeast. Information and technical assistance is routinely provided to the calling membership. The regional office assists in delivering the services of NRPA in professional certification, accreditation, marketing, and national programs. The office generates over 110% of its operating budget from the programs that are offerred its members.
City of Chattanooga, Tennessee Department of Parks and Recreation - This Department included 219 full-time and 125 seasonal and part-time employees organized in five different Divisions. An expenditure budget of over 10.2 million dollars operated Recreation Programs; Golf Courses; Parks, Forestry and Building Maintenance; Administration and Planning; and Civic Facilities, including Memorial Auditorium and the historic Tivoli Theater.
The Department was reorganized in 1992 and Mr. Zehnder was hired to provide new leadership. In only five years the Department received the national APRS Fit-City Award and over 20 other top state and national awards. In this same period 3.5 million dollars was spent revitalizing old facilities and creating new facilities such as the 10.5 million dollar Tennessee Aquarium Plaza and the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge, a part of the Tennessee Riverpark. The Department established new public services as a result of over 40 cooperative ventures with private enterprise, e.g. Walnut Wall Climbing facility, Environmental Education program with the Chattanooga Nature Center, Adventure Guild Ropes Course project and the Friendship Community Church Recreation Center, to name a few.
Three new programming sections were created in the organization with no additional public funds: a comprehensive Cultural Arts Program, an Outdoor Adventure sports initiative and a Youth-At-Risk emphasis.
The Department developed a 2.4 million dollar world class, women's softball stadium for public and university use with over $1,000,000 raised in cash and contributions from the private sector. In 1998 the City completed its first comprehensive parks and facilities 10 year master plan with the result of City Council approving over 34 million for 3 new centers, 2 parks and rehabilitation of other neighborhood facilities.
The development and management of the Tennessee Riverpark system (22 mile linear park) is a joint endeavor of City & County Parks and a non-profit riverfront development agency. The City's latest signature park, Coolidge Park a 10 million dollar riverfront park (70% private funding) was opened in July 1999.
Agency: City of Norfolk, Virginia Department of Parks and Recreation
The Department of Parks and Recreation consisted of seven operational units: Director's Office, Botanical Gardens, Recreation, Parks and Forestry, Cemeteries, Recreation Maintenance and the Virginia Zoological Park. The Departmental budget of over $14.5 million was prepared with the assistance of the Assistant Director and Bureau Superintendents. There were 385 full-time personnel and over 300 part-time and seasonal staff employed. The Assistant Director provided direction to each Bureau's operational matters reviewing and establishing policy as necessary. Personnel administration and development were primary responsibilities including the evaluation of the Bureau Superintendents, development of Departmental Training Programs, Affirmative Action Coordination, and Departmental Safety Programs. The Assistant Director directed the goals and objectives program for the Department, coordinating Bureau tasks with the overall mission of the City.
Interim assignments were experienced as Superintendent of the Virginia Zoological Park for 9 months (1982) and Superintendent of the Bureau of Recreation Maintenance 4 months (1989) while vacancies existed.
Direction and policy development on matters of Urban Forestry Programs, Departmental Reorganizations, Site Plan Review Processes for Landscape Ordinances, Fees and Charges, Park Master Planning were all major accomplishments. Specific accomplishments would also include completion of the Department's UPARR Master Plan Study required by Federal government for Parks and Recreation grant funds, Departmental Safety Award Program, Departmental Supervisory Training Program, several successful Federal and State grant applications and awards.
Agency: City of Charleston, South Carolina, Department of Leisure Services
The Department of Leisure Services consisted of three main divisions: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. The overall budget of 1.8 million was prepared for presentation by the Assistant Director and Director. The duties of the Assistant Director consisted of planning, coordinating and supervising the activities of the Department and its 160 full-time employees. As the Assistant Administrator of a comprehensive parks and recreation program, specific coordination and direction was given to upper level Division Superintendents and Program Coordinators. A system of "up front" contracts or accountability contracts was instituted with supervisory personnel to direct them toward their goals and those of the Department. Extensive experience with public committees and citizens boards can be cited as major responsibilities.
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