Park's strong promotion
Opinion: Editorials
We've been critical over many years of the proclivity of our local taxing bodies to so often promote from within — and way too often to promote from within the same families.
Among the bodies too often inclined to turn to the same gene pool has been the park district. Whether it is staff members or elected board members, we see the same names too often and, in the case of the board, staying too long.
That said, the Park District of Forest Park blew up that stodgy model two years ago when Larry Piekarz, its longtime executive director, retired. Instead of turning to a person whose last name starts with "N," the board went with the full outsider, free-thinking Jackie Iovinelli as its top staff person.
To say it has been a refreshing change is way understated. This week as Iovinelli filled the post of Superintendent of Parks by promoting Ryan Russ to the job, Russ offered some inside thoughts on the energy and innovation Iovinelli has brought to everyday work at the park.
Odd that in promoting Russ, Iovinelli is building that energy and innovation by staying inside the small organization for a key hire.
Ryan Russ is the ultimate park district staffer. The man loves his park, has since he played there as a Forest Park kiddo. Now as a proud dad, he loves seeing his kids in the park, in the programs, in the sheltering arms of the community there. Genuinely enthusiastic, Russ embodies the best of Forest Park's small-town charm.
To her credit though, Iovinelli didn't just hand over the keys to the shed to Russ a year ago when longtime superintendent Larry Buckley retired. While she was inclined to move Russ up, she first urged him forward, giving him the year to prove his leadership and to advance his training. Russ has come through both on the ground and in completing course work to become a certified pool operator and more recently became more expert on assessing playgrounds.
Russ is enthused to have earned the promotion. And he is looking forward to putting his mark on both every square foot of "The Park" on Harrison but also in gradually reworking the newly inherited pocket parks the village government has wisely, belatedly bequeathed to the parks. There is great potential in those small parks sprinkled within the village.
Congratulations to both Ryan Russ and to the park district on this promotion.
Love the Review?
Become our partner in independent community journalism
Thanks for turning to Forest Park Review and ForestParkReview.com. We love our thousands of digital-only readers. Now though we're asking you to partner up in paying for our reporters and photographers who report this news. It had to happen, right?
On the plus side, we're giving you a simple way, and a better reason, to join in. We're now a non-profit -- Growing Community Media -- so your donation is tax deductible. And signing up for a monthly donation, or making a one-time donation, is fast and easy.
No threats from us. The news will be here. No paywalls or article countdowns. We're counting on an exquisite mix of civic enlightenment and mild shaming. Sort of like public radio.
Claim your bragging rights. Become a digital member.
Reader Comments
5 Comments - Add Your Comment
Note: This page requires you to login with Facebook to comment.
Facebook Connect
Community Guide 2019 - 2020
To view the full print edition of the Forest Park Review 2019 - 2020 Community Guide, please click here. |
Quick Links
Sign-up to get the latest news updates for Forest Park. | |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Subscribe | Classified |
Multimedia | Contact us |
Submit Letter To The Editor | |
Place a Classified Ad |
Latest Comments
. a tremendous difference for me . I had improved...
By Manini Victoria
Posted: January 21st, 2021 4:36 AM
By JJ Harrington
Posted: January 20th, 2021 2:04 PM
A beautiful peaceful meaningful inauguration ceremony....
By Leah Ann Shapiro
Posted: January 20th, 2021 12:44 PM
I saw this guy minutes earlier as he approached Circle...
By Edmund B. Martinski
Posted: January 18th, 2021 5:29 PM
If you were paying any attention, you'd know that the...
By William Dwyer Jr.
Posted: January 17th, 2021 9:25 PM
What is the FPR's editorial position? Are you still...
By Robert C. Cox
Posted: January 17th, 2021 12:39 PM
Good for restraint in responding to a mental health...
By Leah Ann Shapiro
Posted: January 15th, 2021 4:22 PM
Yeah, "Brien," but at least they know how to spell and...
By William Dwyer Jr.
Posted: January 15th, 2021 7:11 AM
I love F.p but not the Forest Park reveiw..their...
By Brien Jourige
Posted: January 14th, 2021 11:05 PM
I would like to clarify what is happening with St....
By Della De Sonia
Posted: January 13th, 2021 2:48 PM
Cherie Bussert
Facebook Verified
Posted: October 9th, 2020 8:09 AM
Congratulations, Ryan -- you've always been your best self. We're lucky to have you.
William Dwyer Jr.
Facebook Verified
Posted: October 8th, 2020 12:15 PM
Good editorial, FPR. The old guard was bound to get its nose out of joint, but you nailed it.
Jerry Webster
Facebook Verified
Posted: October 8th, 2020 12:14 PM
John, have you thought about taking reading lesson's or even learning how to read, you really should.
John Tricoci Sr
Facebook Verified
Posted: October 8th, 2020 10:05 AM
Ryan was the Best hire to make and will do a Great job
John Tricoci Sr
Facebook Verified
Posted: October 8th, 2020 10:03 AM
What a Horsebleep editorial to write and take a personal attack on someone.