WurfWhile

Daniel Betts moved from Denver with his family to become Executive Director of the Naperville Park District. He lasted four to five months on a three-year contract and now leaves with an $86,000 severance package plus COBRA according to the Daily Herald and Naperville Sun. The Herald quotes Betts as saying he is leaving “because of philosophical and operational differences” with the Park District Board on what seems to be mutually friendly terms.

Daniel Betts succeeded former Executive Director Barbara Heller, who also left over philosophical disagreements. Barbara Heller succeeded former Executive Director Ken Brissa, who was dismissed after having misled the board about his education credentials, having taxpayers pay for employee big alcohol tabs at conferences and possibly rigging park district bids. Brissa’s severance package was $100,000.

So in the last four years (Brissa resigned end of May 2004) Naperville has had four Park District Executive Directors (including Business Director, and temporary Acting Director, Mindy Munn), none of whom have stayed (excepting Mindy), and taxpayers have likely paid more than $200,000 in severance and related costs. Not a great record.

Naperville Park Board President Suzanne Hart, elected in 2007 when the Park Board was already embarrassed by its record with Brissa, Heller and the botched proposal of a new recreation center, told the Daily Herald, “Naperville likes to make fun of the park district.” Some might wonder if she and others were elected to promote “fun” activities, while minimizing the board being ‘made fun of’ by residents who are footing its bills.

There has been recent discussion about eliminating the Naperville Park Board of Commissioners and giving the responsibility for oversight to the Naperville City Council. It deserves serious consideration.