Huntingburg Park Board Vice President resigns over difficulties

On March 12, Huntingburg Mayor Denny Spinner received a letter of resignation from Park Board Vice President Marlene Morgan removing herself from the Park Board and the Huntingburg Housing Authority immediately.

Morgan listed health concerns in her letter of resignation to the city but recently, decisions made by the Park Board and difficulties with Huntingburg Parks Director Jim Rueger have been a concern.

In an interview with Dubois County Free Press, Morgan stated, “I am not happy with the way things are going. It doesn’t do any good to have an opinion on the Park Board. … I think everyone knows why I am resigning.”

Morgan has voiced concerns over the management of the parks, and most recently the proposed Huntingburg Splash Park has led to long meetings and heated discussion.

Morgan has been a dedicated proponent of the park and remains interested in its continued growth and betterment. During her time on the Park Board she spent hours on beautification projects, including a two month project sanding and repainting all of the handrails in League Stadium.

But conflicts with Rueger have made board meetings lengthy and tenuous. At a meeting a few months ago, Rueger and a citizen in the audience argued for 20 minutes on the condition of landscaping at the park entrance. Morgan directed Rueger to clean up the shrubbery, and Rueger argued that the brush was appropriately trimmed.

Morgan and previous board member Jeff Summers spearheaded the efforts to bring a splash park to the city. After approximately three years of planning and discussion, the board voted unanimously on a location for the proposed splash park and the funding was allocated by the City Council.

After the Park Board voted unanimously on a location for the proposed splash park in November, a long January meeting ended with the board requesting new project estimates because Rueger continued to advocate for an alternative location. In February, City Engineer Brian Small produced costs for the preparation of the location the Park Board had previously approved but provided no estimates for Rueger’s location.

Joyce Fleck, also on the Park Board, questioned repeatedly why the requested information was not provided by Small. (That story here)

A lengthy discussion ensued with Morgan arguing with the City Pool Manager about the appropriateness of the location near the children’s pool. In the midst of the exchange a frustrated Morgan made remarks to the pool manager’s own age and inexperience with children.

Mayor Spinner thanked Morgan for her service on both boards and accepted her resignation. He stated that board members with her passion and dedication are hard to come by and assured her that her efforts have made a difference in the city.

A number of residents have expressed interest in serving in the positions she vacated and are being reviewed according to a statement from the Mayor. Morgan was one of two Democrats serving on the Park Board, and her position must be filled by another Democrat.

[fbshare type=”button”] [twitter style=”horizontal” source=”dcfreep” hashtag=”#Huntingburg ” float=”left”]