Grimwad's gone
A source in the Portland parks bureau tells us that Robin Grimwade, the Australian guy who was brought in a few years back to raise money by commercializing the city's parks, is no longer with the bureau. "I'm sure he's disappointed not to have managed to get a McDonald's in one of our parks before his tenure was up," the source adds. "Poor fella."
Grimwade had had his résumé out a few times in recent months. We wish him bon voyage, and look forward to see where he lands.
Grimwade was recently identified as one of two new managers for the doomed greenway project in the SoWhat district. That fantasy is now scheduled to be completed by the turn of the century.
UPDATE, 4:49 p.m.: Here's the official announcement:
From: Santner, Zari
Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 4:42 PM
To: Parks - Parks and Rec All
Subject: Announcement
Yesterday, Robin Grimwade, the Senior Manager in charge of Strategic Planning and Business Development (SPBD), submitted his resignation, effective May 11, 2009. He will be on vacation the balance of this week.
In light of the financial challenges faced by the bureau, I have decided to eliminate this senior management position in order to retain a few direct services that would be lost as a result of the Mayor's Proposed Budget. Consequently, I have reassigned the units within the SPBD to other Senior Managers in the following manner:
The Property Management, System Development Charge, Business Development, and Grant Procurement programs will all be in the Director's Office portfolio, reporting to Fred Kowell, the Finance Manager.
The Strategic Planning, Asset Management, and Parks Planning will also be in Director's Office portfolio, reporting to Brett Horner, the Planning Supervisor.
The Design and Construction Unit, managed by Liz Moorhead, will become a Unit within the Parks and Recreation Services Department, managed by Eileen Argentina.
I am working on the reassignment of staff within the Marketing and Business Development Unit and hope to make a decision by next week.
Robin's tenure with the bureau was short, however, his contributions to the bureau will be long-lasting. Robin helped me, the Senior Managers, and his staff to understand the value of strategic thinking and planning for establishing a solid organizational foundation for a sustainable and enduring future. He recruited great staff to fill critical positions when opportunities arose and he remained steadfast in advancing the bureau's interests in the context of the city-wide planning and policy development.
I appreciated his counsel and his service to the bureau and the City.
Zari Santner
Director
Portland Parks & Recreation
(503) 823-5379
(503) 823-6007 Fax
www.PortlandParks.org
"Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland"
Our source adds: "I'm surprised Zari didn't mention his efforts to sell Mt. Tabor Yard off to Warner Pacific. Perhaps she's saving that to put on her own resume... one can only wish."
| Posted at 3:00 PM | Permalink |
|
Comments (4)
Can we cut Zari too and bring back the Washington park concerts?
Posted by portland native | May 5, 2009 5:08 PM
Let's see. His position was eliminated and he resigned. Sounds more like he was laid off but I'm sure the distinction and wording regarding the departure made a monetary difference. Anyone know how much?
Posted by NW Portlander | May 5, 2009 5:54 PM
Robin's tenure with the bureau was short, however, his contributions to the bureau will be long-lasting. Robin helped me, the Senior Managers, and his staff to understand the value of strategic thinking and planning for establishing a solid organizational foundation for a sustainable and enduring future. He recruited great staff to fill critical positions when opportunities arose and he remained steadfast in advancing the bureau's interests in the context of the city-wide planning and policy development.
Which means we'll have to spend even more time and effort rooting out those who have been adversely brainwashed by this bozo's exceedingly poor example of what recreational management should be about. How many other shills for fast-food joints has he created in the Parks Bureau.
None the less...It is one. Now, Zari herself should be next. Then, any upper management types who have been political appointees. Preferably, several of those positions could go back to civil service, having, as I understand, been moved into being political appointees during the Zantner rule. This way, we might be able to actually bring professionalism back to the Parks Bureau, rather than continuing to suffer under the corrupt practices which have come to such prominent place in the Parks Bureau.
Fewer planners and more doers. Fiscal responsibility and advocacy for ALL Portland residents' needs. Accountability.
Posted by godfry | May 5, 2009 9:38 PM
Who could forget the first major hire of "great staff to fill critical positions" a Finance manager to replace a 20 year City employee with integrity who was "reorganized" creating the vital position that was eliminated in 2005.
NEWS UPDATE
Saturday, December 31, 2005
-- Anna Griffin
The Oregonian
City fires manager
accused of stalking
Background: In November, the Portland Bureau of Parks & Recreation's finance manager, Christina Orozco, was arrested in Everett, Wash., on a felony charge of stalking a co-worker at her previous job.
Posted by swimmer | May 6, 2009 5:07 AM