• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Delavan to talk park and rec

DELAVAN — For the second time in three months, a person has resigned as the head of the Delavan Parks and Recreation Department.

Joe Peyer resigned June 25, less than two weeks after he pitched a plan to completely overhaul leadership of the department. Peyer suggested June 16 that Delavan contract with the Geneva Lakes YMCA to run the city's recreation department.

Peyer is the executive director of the Geneva Lakes YMCA.

Under his plan, Peyer would have kept his job at the YMCA and worked as the city's recreation director, overseeing Delavan's parks and recreation divisions. He would have hired a full-time recreation supervisor to work in the city.

But the parks and recreation commission in May recommended the city hire a full-time, in-house director, commission Chairman Sam Riggs said.

Riggs said he called Peyer after Peyer introduced his plan June 16. Riggs told Peyer the commission didn't support his plan.

Peyer e-mailed his resignation a short time later.

The city council could invite Peyer and members of the parks and recreation commission to the its Monday, July 20, meeting.

Riggs said that meeting is evidence of micromanagement by the council.

"Certain members of the council want Peyer, and the others want more information," Riggs said.

Riggs had expected Peyer to work as the interim director of parks and recreation until a new director was hired.

The city took applications through June 22 for a new director, commission Vice Chairman Al Buchholz said. About 35 people applied, but the interviewing process is on hold, Buchholz said.

Peyer was filling in after Jeff Malloy, former parks and recreation director, resigned in April to take a similar position in Kaukauna.

Malloy, who was hired as the director in 2007, left the job because of discussions during the 2009 budget debate about cutting the director position, Riggs said.

Malloy "saw the writing on the wall" and looked for a different job, Riggs said.

Riggs called that debate and the current one "micromanagement."

"There are other ways the city can save money," Riggs said. "...It's personal agendas from the council members."

Riggs said it's nothing against Peyer that the commission wasn't interested in contracting with the Geneva Lakes YMCA.

"Joe Peyer is a great man and does wonderful things," Riggs said. "But we have to move forward with the city's best interests in mind."

The Gazette was unable to reach Peyer for comment.