Howell Parks & Rec Director Mikula Resigns Howell Parks & Rec Director Mikula Resigns

5/29/13 - The Howell Parks and Recreation Authority is now temporarily without a director. Debbie Mikula, the authority’s director until last night, abruptly resigned after a special meeting called Tuesday to discuss concerns staff members had about policies and actions by Mikula and their effect on employee morale and the programs offered. The authority is funded through contributions from each of the member local governments, plus program and activity fees. After opening the meeting, the authority board immediately broke into executive session with Mikula the subject of discussion behind closed doors. After nearly an hour, the board returned and during the public comment period many of the employees addressed the board to cite their concerns about where Mikula has taken the authority in the five or so years she’s been there. Staffer Andrew Sell told the board that poor judgment and misuse of funds threatened the day-to-day operations of the authority. Staffers were particularly critical of her decision to hire Michael “Mik” Mikula – who according to authority Chairman Todd Smith is no relation to Deb Mikula – as her operations director. The staff members said Mik Mikula was abusive, abruptly changed rules and procedures and was entirely unqualified for any of the responsibilities he undertook. According to Smith, the board fired Mik Mikula last week. One employee told the board that because of the atmosphere that existed there, city officials called for a police car to be outside the building when she left late the night after Mik Mikula was fired. Other employees told of being threatened with their jobs on different occasions. Deb Mikula did not comment after the closed session during the open meeting; likewise she declined comment for WHMI after the meeting was over and later did not return phone calls. Mikula was an at-will employee and could have been terminated with or without cause, had the board chosen to do so. The Howell Parks and Recreation Authority consists of the city of Howell along with Genoa, Oceola and Marion townships and includes athletic and recreational programs and activities for youths, adults and seniors. The Howell Senior Center and the authority’s headquarters are both located at the Bennett Recreation Center on West Grand River, where the meeting was held. (TT)