Warner Robins council appoints recreation director

The city’s golf course manager is now the recreation director.

Following the retirement of longtime director James Dodson, the City Council on Monday approved Jarred Reneau as the new recreation director.

Reneau has been manager of the International City Golf Club for the past 18 years. He has presided over some significant improvements at the course. Reneau said he plans a similar push for the recreation department.

“You will see a lot of growth and you will see a lot of change,” Reneau told the council. “I can promise you your department of recreation will be the best in the future. I uphold that and you can hold me accountable to that.”

Mayor Randy Toms made the appointment, and the council voted unanimously to approve it.

In the citizen’s comment portion of the meeting, Rick Pogue questioned the decision. Pogue said the city did not have a black department head and he said there was a black female qualified to do the job.

He asked Toms what criteria was used to make the pick, and Toms said he would speak to Pogue about that after the meeting.

Councilman Clifford Holmes, who is black, defended the appointment. He said the mayor makes the appointment in consultation with the council.

“He has to convince us that he is picking the right person, and in this case he did,” Holmes said.

The mayor made another appointment Monday, also approved by council, that did give the city a black department head. The council named Gary Lee as the director of the new Economic Development Department.

Lee is currently director of the Redevelopment Agency, which is under the Economic Development Department. He will continue in the RDA role, Toms said.

Holmes also expressed support for that appointment. He said Lee has done a good job with the RDA.

“He gives his best,” Holmes said. “Gary is real sincere about what he does.”

Toms defended both appointments just before he adjourned the meeting.

“I am willing to stand up and answer to my appointments without fear at all,” he said.

This story was originally published October 3, 2016 at 7:39 PM with the headline "Warner Robins council appoints recreation director."