SB Now

By Robert Rogers and Andrew Edwards
Staff Writers

SAN BERNARDINO -- Kevin Hawkins knows that great
leadership is forged in the cauldrons of crises.

The second-year director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and
Community Services is emerging from the most explosive three weeks of
his professional life.

The jury is still out on Hawkins' recent low-key job performance
since July 3, when community center supervisor Mike Miller was
arrested on suspicion of child molestation.

"I'll leave that to others," Hawkins deadpanned when asked to grade
his own work.

Miller's arrest was followed by a flurry of news and criticism
directed at the city's Operation Phoenix programs, which include
Parks and Recreation services.

For Hawkins, the costs of serving as San Bernardino's parks chief--
measured in the strain on his life and the dimming of his outlook -- have proved steep.

"What I can say is that this has been a painful experience that has
taken a toll on my family," he said.

Things were different before July 3. Hawkins, 44, joined the city in
May 2007 and enjoyed a reputation of being the creme-de-la-creme of
San Bernardino's department chiefs. He showed himself to be smooth and
agile with the press; capable and likable with colleagues and elected
officials.

One high-level official who asked not to be named said Hawkins
enjoyed the rarified air that came with being "universally" liked at
City Hall.

Although the past month has provided plenty of opportunity for some
City Council members who have questioned Operation Phoenix to
amplify their criticisms of Mayor Pat Morris, those politicos have
remained supportive of Hawkins.

"I think Kevin's doing a good job," 4th Ward Councilman Neil
Derry said. "He made it clear to me that he was going to
clean up (Parks and Recreation)."

But the Miller scandal has been a strain.

Miller, 48, was arrested and subsequently charged with molesting two
young girls in recent months and another in the late 1990s.
A series of revelations of ongoing misconduct and management
murkiness followed Miller's arrest.

First, The Sun obtained copies of June 27 e-mail exchanges between
Hawkins, two supervisors reporting to him and former Operation
Phoenix Director Glenn Baude showing the four officials discussing
rumors of sexual contact between Miller and a minor.

Police were not notified until a county employee alerted them to
Miller on July 1.

Then, on July 20, The Sun was leaked an internal department document
showing that the molestation charges followed a four-month stretch of
serious alleged misconduct on Miller's part that appeared to have met
with little punishment.

The emails touched off a District Attorney's probe into possible
criminal misconduct. The question was whether four high-level
officials -- including Hawkins -- failed to warn law enforcement after
becoming aware of rumors that Miller had a sexual relationship with a
minor.

Hawkins promptly retained an attorney and laid low, trying shelter
his family from the cacophony of criticism.

"It has been a tough, tough stretch," Hawkins said. "As painful as
this has been, in the long run we have to continue improving our
services."

Hawkins and the others were cleared of criminal wrongdoing.
Investigators determined the June 27 emails contained unsubstantiated
rumors relating to Miller's interactions with a teenaged girl.
In the throes of a criminal investigation that jeopardized both his
career and even his freedom, Hawkins continued to test his mettle at
work.

He said he fired three employees on July 16, making for a total of 20
staff members replaced since Jan. 1, Hawkins said.

Most of those who left were fired - on his call - Hawkins added.
"When I don't believe that people are committed to this community and
this department, then they're a hinderance to what we're trying to
do," Hawkins said. "Changing the culture and changing the environment
here, that's been a major challenge since I arrived."

Seventh Ward Councilwoman Wendy McCammack praised Hawkins
for dismissing underperforming workers.

"You don't find a lot of department heads removing incompetent
employees very often," she said.

And so, nearly one-third of the 65-employee department's workforce
was expunged in less than one year.

Hawkins, a lanky, easy-smiling fellow with a silky voice, insists
he's not troubled to play the role of hatchet man.

"I don't have a problem with it," Hawkins said of issuing employees
their walking papers. "It's my obligation and my duty."

But Hawkins is quick to emphasize that he's pleased with the majority
of his employees. Morale has been battered since Miller's arrest, as
hard-working, low-paid men and women have personalized all the
criticisms of their organization.

"There are a lot of people who are deeply committed to this
department," Hawkins said.

It's the mix of high-minded idealism and ruthless drive to shape up
his department that has not only got Hawkins through the turmoil, but
also won him the respect of his followers.

"The majority of us are definitely behind Kevin," said Lynn Knutson,
a 20-year employee and interim soccer complex manager. "He's really
stepped up to the plate, been a leader."

Knutson said the last few weeks weren't the whole story.

Before the crisis struck, Hawkins had established himself as a higher-profile
leader than his predecessor, Lemuel Randolph. Knutson said most
department staffers think Hawkins' vision and assertiveness have
likely saved the department from deep budget cuts.

"The public is much more aware of our financial difficulties now than
in the past," she said.

But morale remains low, a problem Hawkins said he'll continue to
address.

"Kevin is holding up pretty well, doing well," said Ray Andrade, a
coordinator at the Norton Recreation Center. "But the whole
department has suffered because of the actions of a couple people."

But while the storm has dissipated some, Hawkins is more weary. A
little less hopeful. A little less confident.

Not as certain in his future.

Asked directly, Hawkins would not publicly commit to staying in the
city long term.

"While im here I will give 100 percent," Hawkins said. "But I am
weighing the impact that this situation has had on my family."

In hindsight, with the Operation Phoenix crisis possibly approaching
its denouement, Hawkins said he wouldn't change any of his decisions.

"No, nothing different," Hawkins said. "And I think the DA's report
shows that."

Although Hawkins hinted that he may look for other job opportunites,
Morris said San Bernardino needs Hawkins' services.
"I think he's the best for the job and I very much want him to stay,"
the Mayor said.