Today, I spoke to the Washington, DC City Council against the confirmation of Dr. Ximena Hartsock as Director of DC Parks and Recreation (DPR). Since Dr. Hartsock arrived in April of this year, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) we have seen more qualified, experienced workers terminated under the guise of budget cuts, only to be replaced by inexperienced personnel who rely on the knowledge and expertise of DPR staff.  Recently hired former DCPS staff with no more than one year’s experience at DCPS have been hired to head some of our mega-centers in communities where it has taken DPR staff years to gain the respect of the community.

She has ignored the law unanimously enacted by the DC City Council, she has ignored our labor/management agreement, she has shown no respect for the years of dedicated service and accomplishments of seasoned DPR employees, she has shown no compassion for displaced employees, in fact, she has stated that they should “leave with dignity.”  It is now time for Dr. Hartsock to leave with dignity.