Photo by JP Crumrine
Bob Lewis, former Town Hall recreation director under the Idyllwild Community Recreation Council, returned Friday, April 1, to a slightly reconfigured job.
Lewis, a long familiar presence in community recreation, was hired by the Riverside County Parks and Open Space District, the current recreation managers under contract with the county. He began a one-year probationary period. Lewis will have full authority to manage and hire staff, according to Kyla Brown, Parks and Open Space recreation bureau chief.
“It feels surreal to be back. What we’re trying to do is provide stability for the community, and we’ll make this work,” said Lewis. “I want to make a difference.”
POS took over recreation management from the county’s Economic Development Agency on July 1, 2014. Prior to that, EDA directly managed recreation in Idyllwild after having terminated ICRC’s recreation contract with EDA on July 31, 2011. POS’ tenure has been rocky, eliciting complaints from local recreation users that centered upon the agency’s reputed failure to understand or adequately respond to the community’s recreation needs.
In a rewind and repositioning move aimed at returning stability to and local confidence with the program, EDA will again directly manage Town Hall recreation beginning July 1, 2016.
“As long as the community is served, that’s all that matters,” said Brown about the change in management.
What that means for Lewis’ tenure in Idyllwild will depend upon EDA, County Supervisor Chuck Washington and the newly constituted County Service Area 36 Advisory Council, a five-member board who is the liaison between Washington and the community regarding Idyllwild street lamps and recreation.
Brown said EDA, as new employer of record, would have to determine whether to affirm Lewis’ tenure, or search for a replacement. She indicated if EDA were to decide not to affirm Lewis’ appointment, he would likely continue his employment with POS, but would be moved to another posting.
The issue of “local control” of CSA 36 recreation has long been a flashpoint among recreation users. Lewis, should he be retained by EDA after July 1, would be a local face, with longstanding ties to community recreation management. Lewis’ job would likely be different from working for a local recreation contractor such as ICRC, since he would be employed directly by the county.
On Tuesday, April 12, the county Board of Supervisors approved 3rd District Supervisor Chuck Washington’s recommendations for the appointment of five members to the CSA 36 Advisory Council. The council acts as the “eyes and ears” of the supervisor on matters of recreation and street lights within the district. As part of that function, it holds public meetings. If approved, the new council will begin public meetings after EDA takes over recreation management from POS on July 1. The five recommended members are John Metroka Jr., Wendy Read, and Kathy Wilson for full terms ending on June 30, 2018, and Ginger Dagnall and David Hunt for one-year terms ending on June 30, 2017.
