The View From Denny Park
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
Kenneth R Bounds, Superintendent

The View from Denny Park: News and Views from the Superintendent

PATRICIA MCINTURFF LEAVING FOR HSD

Late last week, Mayor Greg Nickels named Parks Deputy Superintendent Patricia McInturff as his nominee for director of the City’s Human Services Department (HSD).

The Mayor chose Patricia after receiving advice from both citizens and a search committee that considered candidates from across the country.

I am biased, but I think Patricia is the perfect choice. In her five-year tenure at Seattle Parks and Recreation, Patricia has been an outstanding and invaluable administrator, helping me with almost every aspect of managing and leading this large and diverse agency. In particular she’s focused on issues related to children and youth, senior adults and health. She also was instrumental in developing and implementing the $198.2 million Pro Parks Levy.

Before coming to Parks, she ran Senior Services of Seattle/King County and served as a director for Seattle/ King County Public Health. The Municipal League honored her in 1994 as the Outstanding Public Employee of the Year.

Of course, I have very mixed feelings about this news. I will miss her superb management and leadership skills, her tenacity to get things done against all odds, and her unfailing good humor. I wish her well in her new position at HSD and look forward to forging even stronger bonds between our two departments.

Patricia will begin work at HSD in early June, after she returns from vacation.

TERRY HOLME JOINS PARK BOARD

Earlier this week, the City Council confirmed the appointment of Terry Holme to the Board of Park Commissioners. Terry has been involved in youth soccer for many years as a coach, president of the Mt. Baker/Lakewood Youth Soccer Club, and a commissioner of the Seattle Youth Soccer Association. He also has been active in the Seattle Sports Advisory Council. Terry owns Holme Builders, a residential restoration and remodeling business, and resides in the Mt. Baker neighborhood.

I will be in touch soon.