October 6, 2009 in News, City

Spokane Parks director resigns

By The Spokesman-Review
 
Tags:Spokane Parks and Recreation

The director of the Spokane Parks Department resigned today, less than 18 months since accepting the position.

Barry Russell was hired by Mayor Mary Verner in April 2008. Verner fired the previous director, Mike Stone, at the end of 2007.

The announcement was made in a city news release. Russell could not be immediately reached.

Before coming to Spokane, Russell was the assistant parks director for land management for El Paso, Texas.

Russell served as the parks and community services director in Kirkland, Wash., from 1998-2003. He has a master’s degree in recreation administration from Indiana University. When he was hired, he was given a salary of $97,280 a year.

Verner has named Planning Director Leroy Eadie as the interim parks director.

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Eight comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • westside on October 06 at 5:05 p.m.

    100,000 bucks saved here…..

  • Ron_the_Cop on October 06 at 9:01 p.m.

    Could this be related to:

    The Secret Dahlia Society, the MOBIUS Project, and the Cowles family connection
    http://friendsofmarkfuhrman.org/blog/?p=154

    Northside Landfill Little League Project - Spokane, WA
    http://friendsofmarkfuhrman.org/blog/?p=160

  • garfnagn on October 06 at 9:12 p.m.

    Ron the Cop, did you know that Nancy Goodspeed used to work for KHQ which is owned by the Cowles and that the Duncan Rose Gardens in Manito Park were secretly slated to be plowed under this fall and replanted with ….

    yes …

    BLACK DAHLIAS.

    I think the Park Director knew way too much and wanted out while he could still salvage his career and indeed, his life and self respect. Nobody wants to wake up from a cold cocking in the night to find their hands duct taped to the steering wheel of a minivan parked in the RPS parking lot on the top level. Then hearing the engine suddenly revving way, way up.

    When that day approaches, turn in your damn resignation papers and catch the first Southwest flight outta Spokanistan.

  • Rifleman__Dodd on October 06 at 10:24 p.m.

    Over paid, under performed.

    I expect an elected official to explain why they hire these people.

    Verners losing more people than George Bush’s cabinet.

  • Ron_the_Cop on October 06 at 10:55 p.m.

    Garfnagn,

    LMAO

    Re Goodspeed yes I did. Also she was the mouthpiece at one time for the RPS expansion and also the Pacific Science center and worked for la familia’s favorite PR firm Rockey Hill & Knowlton. That’s what I found so interesting re the new and improved MOBIUS Project.

    Somewhere along the line see managed to get the gig of the marketing and communications director for the Park and Rec Dept. Go figure that one. I didn’t know Park and Rec needed one!

  • liarsinnews on October 06 at 11:50 p.m.

    Seems to me, Verner should go next. Late local TV news tonight, she is making threats by blackmailing the public with threats that she may have to abolish positions of both police officers and fire fighters. She lacks the leadership required to be our mayor. A common sense leader would abolish half of the departments that do not offer any basic services and not fiddle with police and fire. What a disappointment she has been. In my opinion, its also time to move the clock back and return to the City Manager form of government. All 3 strong mayors showed us the strong mayor form does not work. Heck, all continued to carry dead wood appointed by former mayor Powers. Gavin Cooley is a prime example. For gosh sakes, he was a major player giving the Cowles family 100 million dollars and strapping taxpayers for 30 or 35 years.

  • Ron_the_Cop on October 07 at 7:25 a.m.

    Garfnagn,

    My sources say Mr. Russell was not a happy camper re the MOBIUS Project lease. He was told by the Park Board to suck it up and get with the program at least that’s what I’m hearing.

    As for your reference to duck tape you might want to read my new post. I won’t list the title as the “rovers” [e.g., The Prisoner] of the thought police will make this post go poof:

    http://friendsofmarkfuhrman.org/blog/?p=165

  • Ron_the_Cop on October 07 at 12:14 p.m.

    Hey folks there is another comment thread under a later version of this article:

    http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/oct/07/park-department-director-resigns/

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