PB duo reinstated; work is monitored

— The Pine Bluff Parks Commission has reinstated Parks and Recreation Department Director Angela Parker and Laura Hildreth, director of the Chester Hynes Community Center.

The commission had suspended the pair, with pay, in December after officials learned that the department was at least $100,000 over its 2012 budget. Some commissioners had faulted Parker for “mismanagement” of Hildreth, who runs the Chester Hynes Community Center’s activities, including an after-school program.

A Pine Bluff Police Department investigation concluded that although fees by some participants in the after-school program weren’t collected or delivered on schedule, there were no signs of theft or criminal misappropriation of funds.

Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to let Parker and Hildreth return to their jobs but indicated that the employees’ job performance would be monitored.

Arkansas, Pages 14 on 01/13/2013

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