Parish is moving in the right direction with recreation
July 18, 2018
Family credits boy with water rescue after storm
July 18, 2018
Terrebonne officials are moving closer to a decision for who will oversee the parish Recreation Department and its annual working budget of more than $2 million.
Although the department works closely with the parish’s independently appointed recreation districts, its mission is different from theirs, involving development of programs for youth and adults. In many cases these are hosted at gyms and fields owned by the recreation districts. They have their own stream of income through millages. Terrebonne Recreation obtains its money through appropriations of the parish general fund.
Last week eleven candidates were interviewed. A special search committee appointed by Parish President Gordon Dove is in the process of winnowing those picks down to three recommendations from which Dove will choose. He is not bound to accept those recommendations but has stated that his plan is to closely pay heed to them.
Parish Manager Mike Toups has been leading the push for a new director, at a time when recreation programs, buildings and activities have taken a large public spotlight.
“We had over 30 applications one from as far away as California though most were local,” Toups said in an interview. “We were asked to narrow them down to eleven and we did interviews, rating them on the way they handled themselves and the way they answered questions.”
New leadership was necessitated after a scandal emerged concerning an ex-coach who continued traveling with a girl’s team despite his pending prosecution on allegations of human trafficking of a teen girl and other related charges. The problem resulted in a new set of rules for TPR employees and the resignation of its director, Sterling Washington.
Washington, a long-time public servant who won praise over many years for his work with youngsters, resigned from his position after it became clear that he was in the company of the former coach at events despite claims that he had no knowledge of the man’s presence or interaction with teens.
No criminal accusations have emerged from the involvement of the former coach, Derrian Ajhani Williams. But Washington’s handling of the situation led to intense criticism at a time when other recreation issues not directly associated with TPR were receiving public attention.
Those interviewed included:
Bobby Arceneaux: A former member of the Recreation District 2-3 Board Arceneaux has been involved with projects that have added important features to the Terrebonne recreation landscape. He also has distinguished himself as a dedicated coach, and as a TPR employee.
Augustus Brown III: A product of UNO’s graduate program in Special Education, Brown has a history of teaching, crisis intervention and use of various software programs believed relevant to the executive management position. He currently works at Ellender High, and has served as a coach at Terrebonne High. He was general manager of the ill-fated Houma Hawks baseball team. Brown taught and coached at South Terrebonne High.
Lloyd Arthur Olin III: holds an associate degree in applied science from Fletcher Technical Community College and was director of Lafourche Parish Recreation District 11. He is currently employed as recreation director at Lafourche Parish Government. His backup material indicates proficiency with preparing budgets as well as close work with young athletes.
David Bruce McCormick: is a certified teacher at Ellender. At South Terrebonne High he served as a coach and assistant coach for various athletic activities. He is the current head football coach at Ellender Memorial High School.
Ashton Christopher Hawkins: He holds a graduate degree in sociology from Southern University with a Grambling undergraduate degree in social work. He holds a social work license and has certification relating to concussions. Hawkins has undergone ethics training from the Louisiana Board of Ethics Administration. His current position is with the Baton Rouge recreation department where he plans, develops and evaluates athletic programs. He performs administrative duties which include payroll and monitoring activity reports from employees. Prior jobs in Baton Rouge have revolved around youth sports.
Adam T. Holland: Mayor of the Oak Grove, La. He has held public positions in the areas of media relations and guidance. He holds a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Matthew David Lohr: Holds a masters degree in public administration from California State University San Bernardino. He is a certified parks and recreation professional through the Natonal Recreation and Parks Association. Lahr is parks and recreation superintendent for Riverside County, Ca. He had served prior to that as a recreation manager at Newport Beach, Ca. He was remotely interviewed.
Paul Brian Soileau: holds a sports management graduate degree from LSU. He is comfortable working with fitness equipment and databases alike. He currently consults for entities that include the New Orleans Jesters.
Landon P. Tims: He holds a BS in kinesiology from Southeastern Louisiana University, and has managed an Environmental Protection Administration quality project. He now serves as director of parks and recreation for the City of Monroe. One reason he wishes to locate is that he has young children whom he does not wish to raise in Ouachita Parish. He cites a history of working well with leaders and members of other departments and administration.
DeMarius Jones: He holds a BS in Sports Science from Jackson State University and undergraduate degrees in sports administration and general studies. He is a Southwest Mississippi College football coach with a background of working with computer equipment. He was a football coach at Jackson Prep School, and gained business management experience working for U-Haul International.
Dale A. Auzenne: He holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in Therapeutic Recreation from A&M College in Baton Rouge Southern University. He serves as an assistant superintendent of recreation and facilities for the city of Baton Rouge.
—
The profiles were drawn from applications and resumes submitted by the candidates in possession of the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government at the time a public records request was made by The Times.
The search committee includes TPCG Human Resources Director Dana Ortego; Recreation District 6 in Montegut; Parish Planner Chris Pulaski, who also serves as the interim recreation director for the parish; David Prevost, a CPA and Parish Manager Mike Toups.
Search committee members did not wish discuss the matter in detail while still engaged in the process, although Browning offered an observation.
“We have learned many things from the candidates which will benefit the stakeholders in recreation,” she said.
The selection committee’s members individually looked at applications and resumes, sending their desires for interview candidates.
“There still are a crop of people who applied, and applications are still coming in. There is still a potential for another name or two,” Pulaski said.
A firm closure date for applications has not been set, Pulaski said
“The sooner we get the director in the better, as we look to reform TPR as a whole.,” Pulaski said.
Ultimately the decision will be made by Dove, and will have to approved by the Parish Council.
