Parks chair Bennett Blaustein announces forthcoming resignation

Point Roberts Park and Recreation District board chair Bennett Blaustein announced that he intends to resign after the board’s August 8 regular meeting. He informed the other members of the board on June 13 at their monthly meeting.

According to Blaustein, he and his wife intend to take an extended two-month trip to California as well as a cruise following his resignation. He said he wanted to see kid’s camp through before taking his leave of the district. “I want to make sure that everything is wrapped up in terms of procedures and policies for the rest of the board,” he said.

Currently serving as chair, Blaustein joined the board in January 2016. Recently, with the departure of district coordinator Ina Carare and the lack of a maintenance person, he has also been assuming part of those responsibilities as well as commissioner duties.

With Blaustein abstaining, the rest of the board unanimously approved paying him at the rate of $15 an hour for 146.5 hours he had worked between May 9 to the June 13 board meeting and for hours subsequent to the June meeting.

In doing so, the payments are authorized under RCW 86.09.283 which allows for compensating directors “in performance of other official services or duties on behalf of the board” as long as payments are $90 or less per day. In total, Blaustein will receive $2,197 in remuneration.

In other district news, Blaustein clarified the eligibility rules for kids attending the district’s summertime kids camp. “Kids aged 12 or under who are living in Point Roberts during kids camp time can attend the camp,” he said, adding, “Kids over 12 can be unpaid junior counselors. At 16, they can be paid counselors.”

The district also announced the hiring of Emily McKinley as part time clerical/recreation facilitator. She will receive $25/hour during a 60-day probationary period which will be increased to $26/hour upon its conclusion. The district is also anticipating hiring a part time maintenance worker in the near future.