IlluMyFi

Roanoke Parks and Recreation Director Michael Clark resigned Wednesday, signaling a sudden departure after eight years of steady leadership. In a social media post Thursday, Clark said resigning was a difficult decision. "I wasn't forced out or fired or anything like that," Clark said. "It was just time and it was my decision to make." He said he is proud of the department's accomplishments, and thankful for support from city council, management and residents. "I have some exciting things lined up and I'll announce those in due time," Clark said. "For now, I'm taking some time for me and my amazing wife and kids." City Councilman Luke Priddy said he spent time Thursday afternoon unsuccessfully trying to get Clark to rescind the resignation. "The way things stand right now, he's made his decision," Priddy said. "Seeing Michael Clark go is truly a loss, not just to that department, but to everyone in the city of Roanoke." There wasn't any indication before Wednesday that Clark would step down, according to Priddy as well as multiple people who work with the parks department. His office door is shut and a receptionist for the parks department said Clark probably would not be back. He did not respond to an email inquiry Thursday. Clark started as department director in 2016, and worked for local area parks departments since 1999, according to a resume posted online. "He has always advocated for our parks consistently, and he's always gotten the short end of the stick in having to deal with the criticisms on controversial things that might happen," Priddy said. "But he always does it with a smile. He does it well." The resignation is a move that city council should more closely consider, Priddy said. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | Omny Studio "He's been constantly asked to do more with less, and I think he's done so successfully," Priddy said. "But we've never really delivered on that, on giving him more." Roanoke gives about 4% of its annual budget to the parks department, compared to similar-sized localities that spend more like 6% on parks, Priddy said. "Which would be enormous in what they're able to accomplish and do," Priddy said of the difference. "I hope that this will encourage city council to make more of an investment in that department." Priddy said he is unsure who might fill the director role. He hopes city administration looks internally to find a replacement who will maintain the department culture. The Roanoke department has 70 full-time and 160 part-time workers, and was an honorable mention in Outside Magazine's list of best workplaces for 2023, according to a city webpage. "It's sad to see him go," Priddy said. "But I am confident, because they have some great people in that department." The annual salary of the parks and recreation director is $134,106, according to a the city attorney's office. An inquiry to the office of City Manager Bob Cowell was not immediately returned Thursday. The city Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was notified of Clark's resignation Wednesday, said chairperson Terry McGuire. "It's a huge loss for parks and rec, and for the whole city," McGuire said. "And comes at a really consequential time, because we have so many large, moving projects." McGuire listed budget season, a master plan update, and a few ongoing capital improvement projects as recent and ongoing business of the parks department. And the parks department last week announced a temporary closure of the Mill Mountain Discovery Center as it transitions from educational to general recreational uses. "Across the board, there's just a lot going on," McGuire said. "It sucks. We're really bummed." Luke Weir (540) 566-8917 luke.weir@roanoke.com Tags Job Market Internet The Economy Business Politics Institutions Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Luke Weir Author email Follow Luke Weir Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Sentiment

Bearish/Bullish

12.01.24 09:51

by roanoke.com

Medication-assisted drug treatment center approved on Williamson Road

Zoning authorities cleared a national operator of drug treatment centers to open its second Roanoke location with a full suite of medications available to treat substance use disorders including addiction to opioids, which are involved in a high number of fatal overdoses locally. The Roanoke Board of Zoning Appeals on Wednesday authorized Acadia Healthcare Co. to open a mental health and substance abuse treatment clinic at 1529 Williamson Road. Some area residents express concern to board members it would not be a good fit for the neighborhood. But the measure passed 5-1, with one board member out. Member Sue Agresta voted no without explanation, while board member Andrew Raduly voted yes and personally thanked Acadia representatives. "I commend your effort for what you're trying to do for the city because it's a tremendously big need in our city," Raduly said. He added that he wished the services could be offered in southeast Roanoke. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | Omny Studio In 2022, Roanoke posted the state's third highest rate of fatal drug overdoses per 100,000 people. Petersburg led the state, followed by Richmond, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Coroners recorded 123 deaths in the city last year as fatal drug overdoses; of the total, 106 died after ingesting opioids. Typically deemed accidents, the death figures also included suicides and homicides if any occurred. Acadia operates 151 outpatient centers and a variety of inpatient and specialized treatment center and describes itself as the nation's leading publicly traded provider of behavioral health care. The company earned $280 million on revenue of $2.6 billion in 2022, according to a report to regulators. It is based in Franklin, Tenn. It operates two area facilities, the Roanoke Comprehensive Treatment Center at 3208 Hershberger Road, an outpatient facility, and Mount Regis Center in Salem, an inpatient center. Acadia needs a second center in Roanoke because its Hershberger center, to which the city granted a business license in 2003, has 950 active patients and is at capacity, said Brett Lechleitner, a regional vice president at Acadia. "We have completely exhausted the facility at this point and we want to add a secondary facility," he said. Acadia offers voluntary outpatient treatment involving medication-assisted care, therapy and support services at the Hershberger center and will offer the same on Williamson Road, he said. The Williamson address was chosen because Acadia found an available building located in the general vicinity of where 200 of the Hershberger center's clients live, he said. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration asserts that "a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat substance use disorders," according to its website. Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone, the drugs Acadia clients can receive, treat disorders involving the ingestion of "heroin, morphine, an...