The new Executive Director of Kalamazoo Friends of Recreation says he hopes to help it crawl, walk and then run in the near future.
Kalamazoo Friends of Recreation has been a supporting organization for the city of Kalamazoo’s Parks and Recreation programs. They recently named Sean McCann as the group’s first executive director. He served four years in the state House, and before that was a Kalamazoo City Commissioner for 10 years. McCann sat down with WMUK’s Gordon Evans.
McCann says he has been asking people about parks, what they use and what they like and don’t like about the current parks system. Friends of Recreation currently underwrites scholarships that allow children from low-income families to attend summer camp. McCann says that includes a broad range of activities. He says “we need kids to have wholesome recreational opportunities in their lives.”
While he is still figuring out how to approach his new job, McCann says he thinks Kalamazoo Friends of Recreation will work closely with the city’s parks and recreation department. But he says there could also be other collaborations with other non-profit organizations.
On other matters, McCann applied for the job of Kalamazoo County Administrator. The announcement of McCann becoming Executive Director of Kalamazoo Friends of Recreation came shortly after Terrence Neuzil resigned after less than four months on the job. McCann says his current job is a great fit, and “I don’t see myself in the mix for County Administrator.”
Asked about a possible future run for political office, McCann says “never say never,” but doesn’t see a campaign in the near future. The former State Representative and Kalamazoo City Commissioner says he wants to see some governmental reforms, including changes to the redistricting process and campaign finance.
