Changes ahead for CHRPD
Mark Honberger resigns
 At the end of July, Mark Honberger turned in a letter of resignation as the General Manager of the Coalinga-Huron Recreation and Park District. His last day with the District will be August 31. He feels that it has been a privilege serving the community’s park and recreation needs since beginning this journey back on March 5, 2012.
Thank you
 Mark has really enjoyed getting to know those who have participated with the District over the years; whether as a park user, or as an event attendee. So many of you have a passion for your community parks, and it comes through in the warm reception that the Parks and Recreation District receives every time we are out in the community.
Highlights
Of the many great things that were accomplished over the past 4 and a half years, some of the most visible items that he is excited about are:
> Restarting the “Coalinga Farmers Market,” and putting it in Keck Park
 > Beginning the free “Movies-In-The-Park” program, with a program grant from Chevron
> Publishing the PLAYbook, our activity guide which comes out three times each year. The PLAYbook provided a much needed “presence” for the District in each community, and really puts a face on the awesome programs and facilities that are offered by the district.
>Â Establishing stability at Camp Yeager, by moving forward and bringing in the new camp caretaker.
>Â Of 12 full time staff, he had the opportunity of hiring 7, and promoted 2 to new leadership positions. Â
>Â Developing positive relationships with community groups in both Coalinga and Huron.
>Â Adding park signs to Olsen Park, Veterans Field, the Welborn Center, and the Fitness Center. These signs work to provide a consistent face to those facilities.
>Â Finishing 5 CA State grants that were still open from 2002. As a part of these grants, CHRPD was able to: renovated the dilapidated Chesnut Park recreation building in Huron, added an outdoor basketball court and extra pool decking at Chesnut Park, renovated Veterans Field in Coalinga by redoing the outfield turf and overhauling the infield, and added a new score board and restroom facility also at Veterans Field.
What is next for Mark?
 Mark and his family will be will be leaving California altogether, moving to the mountains of Arizona, to begin a different life there. The town of Show Low, AZ is at 6100 foot elevation, and has a plethora of recreational opportunities: lakes, fishing, boating, trails, hiking, mountain biking, atv riding, snow skiing, ponderosa pine trees, high desert, all in the "White Mountain Range" area of AZ. They are excited for what lies ahead.
 What is next for the District?
The recruitment for the next General Manager has already been opened on the “job center” website for the California Parks and Recreation Society (www.cprs.org). This website reaches parks & recreation professionals all over California, and beyond. The recruitment will last approximately six weeks, with the first review of applications closing on September 26 at 5 p.m. In the meantime, the CHRPD Board of Directors has been looking into the possibility of an Interim General Manager. Someone who has experience in managing a public agency, and who has experience in running a bond measure campaign. In meeting these goals, the CHRPD Board of Directors has chosen Roger Campbell as their Interim General Manager. Mr. Campbell’s main focus will be working with the bond campaign, moving towards getting it passed in November (we will need a two-thirds approval to pass it). He will also be a steadying force for the District during what can be a tumultuous time while the new General Manager is located.














