August 21, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Franklin Lakes Robinson is borough’s new recreation director by Frank J. McMahon Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona has named Jason R. Robinson as the new director of recreation and parks. Robinson is a borough resident and current member of the Franklin Lakes Recreation Committee. The $65,000 director’s post became vacant in June when John Ciurciu resigned after six years of service. Franklin Lakes Borough Administrator Gregory Hart, Councilmen Joseph Kelly and Thomas Lambrix, and Recreation Committee member Edward LaScala served on the committee that interviewed 12 of the 53 applicants and held second interviews with four of the applicants before making a recommendation. In his letter to Mayor Frank Bivona expressing his interest in the job, Robinson said he is well suited for the position and that his resume attests to the familiarity and the expertise he has in areas of sports and organizational management. “On a professional level, I have extensive experience working with others in both educational and coaching environments,” Robinson said. “I am a certified teacher with a master’s degree in education with this background providing me with opportunities for frequent interaction with children and adolescents in teaching and coaching capacities. “As a result of my directing the Franklin Lakes Flag Football League; coaching various recreational and travel sports teams, including football, baseball, and bas- ketball; and being a member of the Franklin Lakes Rec- reation Committee, I have had the opportunity to develop many well established relations with parents and children involved in Franklin Lakes recreational programs.” Councilman Kelly, the governing body’s liaison to the Recreation Committee, explained the reasons the group of interviewers unanimously recommended Robinson. “Jason demonstrated during the interview process a level of preparedness and organization that set him apart from the other applicants, many of whom were also very qualified,” Kelly said. “His enthusiasm was impressive and infectious. We think that these qualities, together with his exceptional people skills, will make him very successful in this role and an attribute to our Franklin Lakes recreation community.” Robinson’s education includes a master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts in Boston in 1996, and a bachelor’s degree with a major in English/communications from Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts in 1990. He has served as head basketball coach in the Police Athletic League in Boston; assistant track coach for the girls’ high school track team in Somerville, Massachu- setts; head basketball coach of the borough’s travel team; coach for the borough’s travel baseball program; direc- tor of the borough’s flag football program; and defensive coordinator for the borough’s football team. Robinson is the owner/operator of Wyckoff Wash, LLC, a car wash and polishing firm in Wyckoff. He was previously the territory safes manager/trainer for the Cardiac Rhythm Management Division of Boston Sci- entific in Natick, Massachusetts and district sales trainer of the New England district for Kos Pharmaceuticals in Miami, Florida. He was also territory business manager/district sales trainer for Bristol-Myers Squibb U.S. Pharmaceuticals in Princeton. He was a biology teacher in the Somerville High School in Somerville, Massachusetts. During the 1996 season, he was the corporate account manager for the New Jersey Devils Hockey Organization. A member of the United States Bobsled Team, Rob- inson is also a United States Amateur Boxing referee, judge, and timekeeper. As director of recreation and parks, Robinson’s responsibilities will include being the primary liaison to the Recreation Committee and liaison between parents and coaches. He will prepare and, after consultation with the Rec- reation Committee, submit a departmental budget and administer that budget. He will operate and promote the borough’s recreation programs; promote a safe environment for recreation programs; manage, inspect, and oversee the maintenance of all recreation facilities; inspect and maintain all recre- ation equipment and services; oversee program develop- ment and implementation; supervise, train, and evaluate staff; and administer programs for sports and recreational programs for children and adults. In addition, Robinson will administer the borough’s facilities use policy for the borough fields; coordinate gym and field use with the board of education; administer the recreation code of conduct policy; oversee the process of team selection; observe practices and games of all sports; and administer the process for selecting coaches and program directors in accordance with Recreation Committee policies. He will also supervise all program directors, coaches, and other volunteers. His responsibilities will also include the preparation of the Recreation Committee meeting agenda in consul- tation with the committee chairman, coordination of the registration for all recreation sports programs, recom- mendation of new programs or program changes to the Recreation Committee, overseeing the scheduling and maintenance of a master schedule of all recreation pro- grams, and overseeing the community center programs.