Interim Phoenix Center Manager
Read below for full profile of the new guy sitting in what was Mike Miller's desk.
By Robert Rogers
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO - Curtis Brown Jr. is a friendly face on an ugly situation.
The longtime Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department employee has been tapped by Director Kevin Hawkins to do what many would consider an unvenviable job:
Taking spot left vacant by Operation Phoenix Community Center Manager Mike Miller, who was arrested last week on charges of allegedly molesting three children, including two this year.
Brown, with a round face, quick smile, and 30 years experience in parks and recreation, said his role is to stabilize the Phoenix center as its interim manager.
"I'll be here as long as it takes for us to find the right fit to take over," Brown said. "We don't want to stop business."
Brown has been second in command to both current Director Kevin Hawkins and former Director Lemuel Randolph.
He came to San Bernardino in January 2005 after 12 years as the director of community services for the City of Menlo Park in Northern California.
Prior to that, he spent 13 years working the West Hollywood parks system.
Hawkins, who decided last weekend, just two days after Miller's arrest, to hand the reigns to Brown said his decision was easy. He needed his best person for the job.
"We need capable and confident people leading right now," Hawkins said. "I want to to convey that we have confidence in continuing Operation Phoenix services, and he is the guy to do that."
Brown, who was born in Ventura, came to the city as then-director Randolph's number 2. There was speculation he might replace the outgoing Randolph when he left in December 2006, but instead someone from outside the department was selected to serve as interim director.
Later, Hawkins was hired, and Brown remained in the same number 2 role.
But today Brown is number 1 across the three Phoenix Centers. He moved into his new office - and Miller's former office - on Monday, having to quickly remove evidence of its former occupant's from the desk and walls.
Brown said the objective is to stay open and provide safety and services to area youths.
"What has happened in the last week is sad," Brown said. "But we are staying open. Catholic Churches have had problems with some priests, but they didn't close down the church."
Today is Brown's 56th birthday, but he'll be doing more working than celebrating.
Comments
In response to the comment, "Catholic Churches have had problems with some priests, but they didn't close down the church."
The churches may stay open, but you don't sign your kid up for Alter Duty.
Posted by: Armand | July 8, 2008 7:25 PM
Hang on! here we go again, Looks like the big ugly bird has a new pilot. City Council where are you! We know where the Mayor stands. Why do you let this continue, Close these centers down now! what another outsider. You gotta be kidding in a city this big. Why are we hiring people from the outside of our city. It's bad enough they don't come from the neighborhoods that these center are placed in. The Mayor and City Council talk about community pride but they hire people from the outside, For city positions.
By the way you mentioned he is a Parks and Rec. Manager/Employee 2nd in command of what! the filtest parks in the Inland Empire. Get him off that arm chair before he gets confortable and put him to work with his Director,Both where they are really needed in the field. Cleaning our filthy parks,or have'nt they noticed, probably not. They probably don't take there families and kids to these filthy parks and i bet they sure don't take them to the Operation Phoenix centers. Our children deserve to have clean and safe, open spaces to play in. Open spaces and not behind closed doors with Phoenix employees.One other thing you mean we can't find local S.B.City educated community minded Parks & Rec / Community Center Managers, that are truly stake holders born and raised here and really value or children and will protect them at all cost from these kinds of criminals.
Posted by: joehern | July 9, 2008 1:25 AM
I agree with Joe - there are far too many "outsiders" in charge of our city departments.
The Police Chief lives in Redlands. We live in the "murder capital" of the Inland Empire, if not the state.
While some of us have moved from other areas to here I think that if you are not a resident of this city (with a real investment in how this city is doing) then you shouldn't be considered to head a department of this city. There is a reason that elected officials have to live in the city they serve.
Posted by: Juana Martinez | July 9, 2008 2:20 PM
I believe I read that some city councilmembers have asked for some accountability in its upper end staff. I know some feel it should have taken a short break to regroup with appropriate number of staffers. All they needed was some time and money. Some of the council seems to be there, but you are right, we all know where the Mayor is. No black eyes on this subject please.
Posted by: open minded | July 9, 2008 5:46 PM