Midland Park March 2, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 The Midland Park Mayor and Council are evaluating their options following the unexpected resignation of recreation director Lori Dent. She resigned Feb. 17 effective March 4. Dent had offered to work during the winter school break, Feb. 22-25, but the governing body opted to release her from that responsibility. “While this has been a surprise to the borough, we respect the recreation director’s decision, thank her for her years of service and wish her luck in the future,” said Mayor Joseph Monahan in a prepared Council mulls options for Dent’s replacement statement read at the start of last week’s council meeting. “The borough will not speculate as to the reasons for her decision and will be working diligently putting the appropriate resources and measures in place to minimize any disruption to our programs,” he added. Councilman Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan said that Ed Gordon, the DePhillips Center supervisor, would be in charge of the daily operations and programs until a decision is made on a replacement. The borough administrator will continue to provide managerial oversight. Monahan said that the governing body will be working in conjunction with the board of recreation to develop a longrange plan. As was done when the borough administrator retired last year, “we’ll first evaluate the programs and effort to support them. We will then review all options to satisfy the resource requirements for the programs on a go-forward basis,” the mayor said. Board of Recreation President Dave Lancaster said the board would discuss the situation at its regular meeting this week. Dent did not respond to efforts to contact her following her resignation. In an email sent to the many volunteers she has worked with over the years, she said that her decision “was not made suddenly, but is a result of all the changes made over the last eighteen months” in borough management. “The recent change of our administrator, and changes in how I was expected to perform my job and execute my responsibilites, have led to my decision to resign from my position as recreation director. It has become clear to me that the agenda The Rutgers Safety Training Clinic, required for Midland Park Recreation’s new coaches, will be held on Monday, March 14 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the DePhillips Community Center, 50 Dairy Street. The cost of the program is $26. Registration is required by March 9 and may be completed at mprec@optonline. net. The recreation department reminds Safety clinic offered to coaches new youth sports association coaches and volunteers they must also view the 10minute volunteer DVD at the DePhillips Community Center. The DVD is available Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. New coaches and volunteers must also complete a criminal background check application, which is available at the Midland Park Police Department. The Midland Park Knights of Columbus will host its annual Fish and Chips Dinner on Friday, March 11 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Kennedy Hall at the Church of the Nativity in Midland Park. Dinner will be provided by Argyle’s. Tickets are $13 per person; macaroni and cheese will be avail- Fish & Chips Dinner announced of the changes was not to further the success of the programs, but to diminish my ability to continue to successfully perform my responsibilities in the fashion I am accustomed to delivering to the residents of Midland Park,” her email stated. Her salary was $55,000. Dent held the post for 10 years, starting as a part-time director in 2001and assuming full-time duties two years later. During her tenure she supervised the conversion of the Recreation Barn into the modern DePhillips Center and the construction of the Wortendyke playground and the pavilion at Wortendyke Park. She led the expansion of the summer recreation program and the addition of such offerings as theater and cooking workshops, family night, outdoor movie nights and winter and spring break camps. She also interfaced with the various sports organizations, developed procedure manuals and instituted the fingerprinting procedures required of all volunteers as part of insurance coverage. She also organized Midland Park Day, held annually in September, and enhanced the Holiday Tree Lighting activities. able for children for $3 a child. Dinners are also available for take out. Tickets may be purchased after all weekend masses or by calling Rich at (201) 652-6945 or Jack at (201) 670-6765. The church is located at 315 Prospect Street in Midland Park. Does Your Child Want to Be a Designer? 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