Randy Cameron elected Spokane Park Board President

Leroy Eadie, 509.625.6200

Monday, February 24, 2014 at 2:19 p.m.

With a unanimous vote by the members of the Spokane Park Board, long time board member, Randy Cameron, was re-elected to an unprecedented third term as Park Board President at the board's annual meeting February 13.

“It's a real privilege to be a member of the Spokane Park Board and an honor to be its president for the next twelve months,“ Cameron said, adding “it's important to say that by being this year's president allows the real work to be done by the fantastic members of the Board.“

Cameron is lavish in his praise of his colleagues.

Specifically he notes key assignments and how, working together, a massive amount of work gets done by these volunteers:

  • It allows Chris Wright to continue bringing our entire community together as we transition a revitalized Riverfront Park from a vision-to-reality in an undertaking not seen since Expo '74. And in addition, Chris has also agreed to serve as Vice President of the Park Board this year.
  • It allows Jim Santorsola to continue to use his decades of experience in providing sage advice when confronting the many challenges Parks and Recreation faces.
  • It creates more time for Dr. Sam Selinger to work with Riverfront Master Plan project manager Juliet Sinisterra to build on and campaign for a light and sound experience in Riverfront Park that will rival the airport in Sidney, Australia.
  • It allows Ross Kelley to continue working with our golf professionals to complete a long term Capital Investment Plan for our four extraordinary city golf courses, and to build on the renewed interest in playing golf in Spokane.
  • It allows Susan Traver to continue working with staff to complete the restructuring of Recreation programs, classes, leagues and events for all ages and skill levels, and at the same time, solidify financial accountability at our youth and senior centers, our pools, sports fields and Merkel Sports Complex.
  • It allows Ken Van Voorhis to continue working with Urban Forester Angel Spell in bringing Urban Forestry from what some members of our community saw as a nuisance to becoming an invaluable part of our city park system. Also, Ken has been “just amazing“ in performing double duty by also working with staff to establish a sustainable maintenance program throughout our parks.
  • It allows Andy Dunau to work with Rebecca Madany in finalizing the Park Board Financial Management Policy that will bring us closer to sustainability than we have experienced in decades.
  • It will also allow Andy to work with Parks & Recreation Director Leroy Eadie on a major Parks & Recreation Long Term Capital Plan, and to build the financial framework for the Riverfront Park Master Plan and at the same time, maintain our critical 7% Fund Balance.
  • And with the two newest members of the board, Kristine Meyer and Preston Potratz, it allows them to complete their transition from new member orientation to valuable contributors in Park Board leadership.

“These board members' efforts and commitment extend to countless hours of service away from family and friends, and for that, Spokane thanks you,“ Cameron said.

About Randy Cameron

Cameron is Chief Operating Officer at Baker Construction. He was appointed to the Park Board in 2008 and has served consecutive terms, three as President.

About the Park Board

The Spokane Park Board was created in 1910 and granted power by Article V of the City Charter to layout, establish, purchase, procure, accept and have the care, management, control and improvement of all parks grounds and parkways controlled by the City of Spokane and used for park purposes. The Charter also mandates eight percent of the City's annual expenditures be earmarked for Parks and Recreation. Additional funding comes from fees and charges for programs and services. The City's four golf courses are operated as an enterprise fund and are not supported by tax dollars.

Park Board meets on the second Thursday of each month, 1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Lower Level of City Hall. For more information, visit the Parks page, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter

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