Parks and Rec chief a poor fit for Denver
I’d like to thank the Rocky Mountain News for taking on the issue of Denver Parks and Recreation Department Manager Kim Bailey (“Parks and Recreation boss is MIA,” May 1 and “Her noble ‘sacrifice,’” On Point, May 2).
My 77-unit condo building backs up to Cheesman Park, and a construction project about a year ago prevented access to both parking garages for several days. As HOA president, I requested permission from the Parks and Recreation Department for some of our homeowners to park their cars in Cheesman Park at night, with identification and early-morning removal. Disregarding the needs of our elderly, handicapped, and single working women returning home after dark, and with a total lack of parking options in this part of the inner city, Bailey denied our request.
It seems Bailey also forgets that our taxes furnish her education as well as her drop-in moments in the office. She doesn’t seem to be a good fit with the goals of the Hickenlooper administration.
Marcia A. Whitcomb, Denver
As an avid supporter of our parks and recreation system, I was dismayed to learn of Ms. Bailey's extraordinary amount of time taken off the job.
What was even more stunning for me to learn was that she didn't get fired for it and that, I believe, this was paid time off. I had no idea that some of our officials were granted such a large number of days off. While I am all for a work system that gives people more than two weeks of vacation a year, I believe it should be across the board, not just for the top brass.
I'm actually thinking about writing a letter to Mayor Hickenlooper regarding Ms. Bailey's frequent absences from her job. We cannot expect widespread public support of our parks and open spaces when the department's head drops in and out of the office at her whim.
Posted by mytwosense on May 10, 2007 06:35 AMWell, let's put someone in that job who would actually DO the job! Like, me! I'm hereby submitting my resume for the position of Manager of Denver Parks and Recreation Department. I really have no qualifications for it, but I like going to parks, and at least I'd show up on a regular basis and realize who I'd be working for--which would be a step ahead of the current person holding the job!
Posted by shaupeen on May 10, 2007 10:39 AMIt really makes me wonder how she can keep her job after such a lousy track record. I wonder if she were say, a white, male, would she still enjoy being employed?
Posted by mr. crab on May 10, 2007 10:42 AM