INSIDE

Good night, Irene

By Meg Olson

After 30 years on the local parks board Irene Waters won’t be running this fall.

“It’s not that I don’t want to be on the board anymore, I just think it’s time for someone new,” Waters said. “I just want to slowly back away from it.”

Other parks commissioners are grateful there will be a slow passing of the torch, as Waters has managed parks department finances and the operation of the Gulf Road community center almost single-handedly. “Irene knows everything and I know nothing,” said fellow commissioner Linda Hughes. Hughes and commissioner Bev Griffiths are running unopposed for another term on the parks board.

Waters said she thinks the next big priority for the local parks and recreation district should be the expansion of the building to allow for a larger library. “I’d really like to start adding to the building before I go but it’s nice to know I have Mark on the same page,” she said. Mark Robbins is running unopposed for Waters seat this November.

At 83, Waters says she’s looking forward to slowing down. “I’m going to just take it easy, walk on the beach, visit my kids and my grandkids,” she said. “I’m not going to rush around on a schedule all the time anymore.”