Stone’s death was coupled with the August resignation of Parks and Recreation Director Ann Selness to accept the position of Spring Grove, Minn. City Manager. Of the two openings, the city is closest to filling the vacant Parks and Recreation position.

Parks and Rec Director

“The Parks and Rec Director position is currently posted and closes Nov. 8,” Marshalltown City Administrator Jessica Kinser said in an email to the Times-Republican earlier this week.

Before coming to Marshalltown, Selness had gained much of her professional experience working in southern Minnesota and had a current address listed in Caledonia, Minn. Selness had a residence in Marshalltown and would return to Minnesota on weekends, At-Large Councilor Bill Martin said.

“Her taking a different job kind of shocked me,” Veteran Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Member Matt Tullis of Marshalltown said. “I was impressed with her skill. I believed she did a lot of good things in the short time she was here, including the Park and Rec Master Plan, and work beginning with the (Veterans Memorial) Coliseum renovation.”

Selness, whose tenure spanned nearly two years and four months, also earned public praise at city council meetings on numerous occasions from Mayor Joel Greer and several councilors.

At the Oct. 22 meeting, Lamer urged City Administrator Jessica Kinser to accelerate the Parks and Recreation director hiring process as the city might demolish the Senior Citizen Center and move senior activities to an upgraded Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Nothing has been finalized, but the city is expected to resolve the issue soon.

Since Selness’ resignation, Kinser and City Human Resources Director Jill Petermeier have been helping the veteran Parks and Recreation staff with management duties.

Transit Administrator

Stone, who had 17 years of service to the city, was lauded in social media and elsewhere for his business and personal skills. A memorial service for him was held Oct. 28 in Marshalltown.

“We have not made any decisions about when to post the Transit Administrator position,” Kinser said.

——

Contact Mike Donahey at

641-753-6611 or

mdonahey@timesrepublican.com