Parks and Rec director resigns after four months
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on January 5, 2010 1:46 PM
Only a few months after working his first day as director of the city's Parks and Recreation Department, David Carter has submitted his resignation.
Carter, whose last day will be Jan. 22, gave his notice late Thursday, City Manager Joe Huffman said, citing an offer to hold the same position in Chesapeake, Va., as the reason for Carter's departure.
"Four months is a quick turnaround," Huffman said.
But the city manager said he does not begrudge Carter's decision. And although it is unclear whether promise of a higher salary led to it -- Carter was making $80,500 with the city -- Huffman said it would be understandable if money were the reason.
"We're not going to be able to pay as much as a Wilson, Greenville or Raleigh," he said. "And after (researching Chesapeake), we probably couldn't come close."
It has been an interesting few years for Parks and Recreation, as Carter marks the third department head to leave the city since 2008. Sonya Shaw left in 2008 to take a position in Garner and then interim director Gail Charles retired. All the while, significant work was being completed at Stoney Creek Park and the Recreation Center project moved through the design phase.
"It's been a challenge," Huffman said. "But I think it underscores the need to have many people involved (in these projects.)"
Huffman said a search for Carter's replacement is ongoing and that the position is currently being advertised on the city's Web site.
The ideal candidate, he said, would bring experience directly related to the city's vision of the future of Parks and Recreation in Goldsboro. That means they would be able to develop and execute programming at the Recreation Center, if it is built, and would have the skills necessary to work with groups like the Stoney Creek Park Alliance, Huffman said.
"We're looking for someone with experience, someone who can be a team member," Huffman said. "And the ability to interact with the community is going to be really important."