Anderson-Dean Lays Off Entire Staff

Search Begins For New Park Manager

Jennifer Marsh

Herald Staff

jmarsh@harrodsburgherald.com

Anderson-Dean PCommunity Park has laid off all employees.

“Due to no activities  which bring revenue in during the summer and losing all spring income, the Anderson Dean park board made the decision to lay off all full time and part-time employees effective at the close of business on Thursday,” said Joni Horn, chairwoman of the park board. “This includes the park director, secretary, maintenance and part-time mowing personnel.”

The decision was made at a special-called meeting of the park’s board of directors on Thursday, April 30.

Earlier this month, the board voted to furlough employees or reduce their schedules to keep the park solvent during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic

The park director, Mark Bryant, resigned earlier in the week prior to the layoffs. Horn said she and the board had accepted his resignation.

With no staff, the county and the city will have to take over much of the work at the park.

“With the help of our city and county maintenance and road crews, we will have their help to mow and keep up the maintenance until we are able to open,” said Horn.  “We have added security through the Mercer Sheriff’s Office as well as the Harrodsburg Police Department.”

Horn said there will be security rounds performed several times a day as well as volunteers from the board to help ensure the security of the park.

“Currently, all park financial business is being handled by the board treasurer. We are confident that it was the best decision to keep the park in the best financial condition related to the uncontrollable measure brought on to us through COVID-19,” said Horn.  “We are blessed with great community support through Judge-Executive Milward Dedman and Mayor Art Freeman to step up and help during this time.”

Horn said the board has rallied together to help in all aspects to make sure the park is still functioning and secure.

“We do not have an anticipated date of opening at this time, but our hope is to be able to carry on with tournaments in the late summer and fall,” said Horn.

The park director position for Anderson Dean Community Park is posted on Indeed.com. A hiring committee was formed to sort the hundreds of applicants the board has already received.

“The board members on the hiring committee are Mike Steele, vice-chair, Denise Spencer, treasurer,  Austin Gibson and myself,” said Horn. “At this time there isn’t an emergent need for the director’s position so the board wishes to take their time, interview and make sure they hire the best candidate for the job.”

The next regular meeting of the park board is scheduled for Monday, May, 11, at noon.