State parks workers want governor to remove their boss
By Matt Weiser, Sacramento Bee
The managers who operate California’s state parks say they have lost faith in their leader, and are urging Gov. Jerry Brown to appoint a replacement.
Ruth Coleman, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, was appointed by former Gov. Gray Davis in 2002. It has been rumored for weeks that Brown is considering a new appointment for the post. Evan Westrup, a spokesman for the governor, declined to say Monday whether a new appointment is in the works.
Ruth Coleman was in Tahoe in October for the Washoe Meadow State Park hearing. Photo/LTN
In a Dec. 14 letter to the governor, the State Parks Peace Officer Management Association shared a recent poll of its approximately 125 members. The poll found that 93 percent want a new director. About 56 percent of the members participated in the poll.
“Director Coleman is an honorable person, but she has been largely absent in making sense of the new economic realities,” the letter said. “We understand that there is some discussion within the administration regarding the director’s appointment process. Consequently, we wanted you to know our position.”
Wow, this article closely parallels my current working situation.
My administrator, too, is indeed an honorable person, but she is also largely absent when issues need to be dealt with. Being reactive, not proactive, is unfortunate. I am not alone and believe several staff members have lost faith in our leader as well.
Thanks, Kae, for sharing yet another interesting and compelling article.
Yes,it is sad but true. This director has no communication skills with her employees. She may be present with the elected officials and political types but with everyday park people in the parks she has been woefully absent. There is no cohesive plan presented for the parks or their communities about the closures. The sheriffs and chiefs of police were caught flat footed to learn of their increased workload too. hope the park hearings get some answers and communities are included in whats going on.
I wonder if she was another ENRON plant?