Sue Black out as Milwaukee County Parks Director

Coming as a surprise to many, as of today, Sue Black is no longer an employee of Milwaukee County.

Black, the accomplished director of the Milwaukee County Parks, was honored this year by the Milwaukee Press Club for demonstrating “remarkable dedication and service to the community,” and won the prestigious National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in 2009.

Just after 1 p.m. this afternoon, Milwaukee County Supervisor Jason Haas tweeted, “BREAKING: Sue Black no longer works for Milwaukee County. I have no further information.”

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Black was fired by County Executive Chris Abele. Black told the Journal Sentinel that while meeting with Abele at the courthouse, she had been locked out of her office in Wauwatosa.

Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic later released the following statement:

“While I am sorry to see Black go, I recognize that such a personnel decision is solidly in the purview of County Executive Chris Abele. Black became the public face of the Milwaukee County Parks, and I thank her for her efforts to tell the Parks’ story. I commend Black for her achievements in developing private-public partnerships and corporate sponsorships in the face of diminished public support.

Black would most certainly be at the top of any national search for the director of a parks system, and I wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

Additionally, I am disappointed in the timing of this situation, as the Milwaukee County Board prepares for delivery of the Milwaukee County Executive 2013 Recommended Budget. The absence of a Parks leader will certainly make it more difficult to respond to constituents who have voiced their support for Parks. I look forward to a report on how the Milwaukee County Executive’s office plans to proceed on major Parks initiatives currently in the works.”

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