Scott Rodgers is new Commerce rec director

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Scott Rodgers is new Commerce rec director

Posted by

Mark Beardsley

in Top Stories

Wednesday, March 14. 2012

Comments (17)

Commerce city manager Clarence Bryant announced Monday night the hiring of Scott Rodgers of Athens as the city’s new recreation director.

Rodgers is currently the parks and recreation director for the city of Doraville. He will begin work Monday, April 2. His salary is “$55,000-plus,” Bryant said.
He will succeed Lonnie Dickerson, who retired March 1.

Rodgers holds a bachelor of science degree in recreation and leisure studies from Georgia Southern University and a master’s of education degree in recreation and leisure studies from the University of Georgia.

He’s been with Doraville as director since June. He’s also served as deputy director of the town of Mount Pleasant, SC, recreation department, director of the Ware County recreation department, served as athletic supervisor for Aiken, SC, and athletic coordinator for the Augusta/Richmond County recreation department. He also directed the Wrens recreation department.

Bryant said that Dickerson will be honored with a plaque at the April 9 meeting, at which time Bryant will also introduce Rodgers to the council.

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#1 questioning on 03/15/12 at 03:53 PM [Reply]

Was any of the rec department employees asked about becoming director? In my opinion there are some that are qualified instead of going outside.

#1.1 Literate dude on 03/20/12 at 06:19 AM [Reply]

"Was any of the rec department employees "

I think you have answered your own question....

#1.1.1 Local on 03/23/12 at 12:46 PM [Reply]

Well said, though I doubt the response will be understood.

#2 OMG on 03/16/12 at 03:36 PM [Reply]

Another one from Athens! Seriously... Is Clarence Bryant mentally challenged or does he just love screwing with us taxpaying citizens. This guy doesn't live here and I am sure he does not want to relocate. It seems, acccording to the article he has held every job in the Southeast. I gurantee his kids won't be playing ball here. They will probably play in Athens. Our city manager and the council are going to have to answer to this. Everyone around us has grown in recreation but us, and this is the answer?

#2.1 Exaggerate much? on 03/20/12 at 05:07 PM [Reply]

What does being from Athens have to do with whether he can do a good job or not? Who cares whether his kids play ball somewhere else? That's got nothing to do with whether he does a good job or not. Sometimes, people who aren't from Commerce can do a good job for Commerce. Give the guy a chance.

#3 Life long citizen on 03/17/12 at 05:04 PM [Reply]

The leaders of our city need to grow a pair and stop outsiders from running city departments. If not put in his place before retirment Clarence Bryant will have our town so screwed up that it can not be fixed. As far as the new rec. Director goes dont expect any help from this dad.

#3.1 M. Hamid on 03/22/12 at 05:23 AM [Reply]

So much for southern hospitality.

#4 Recreation Professional on 03/19/12 at 07:28 PM [Reply]

Folks,

I'd like to take a moment to let everyone know that Mr. Bryant chose a very qualified and highly respected professional to fill this position.

Scott is a true leader with an undeniable work ethic.

Citizens of Commerce can expect to see changes in programming, customer service and general department administration.

Publicly stating an opinion of someone before you've met them or given them the opportunity to prove their worth isn't exactly the best method for displaying intelligence or maturity.

Scott will exceed your expectations and, in the process, bring the citizens of Commerce what they have been looking for.

#4.1 Concerned citizen on 03/20/12 at 03:32 PM [Reply]

How on earth would you know if he was profesional and had a good work ethic when in all the places he has been he has only stayed for a blink of an eye.

#5 Jeff Brown on 03/20/12 at 09:07 AM [Reply]

I understand that this is the City Managers call and not the councils.I do agree that when you can hire within it should be done. So the question is do we have a person at the rec dept that can do the job. I think we have been getting what we can expect from within.
I look foward to some new programs for the kids of our city. Give the new man a shot before turning your back

#6 Taxpayer on 03/20/12 at 11:29 AM [Reply]

I have read all the comments on here and I for one am glad to see someone from outside the city getting this job that way we can get out of the good ol'boy network. And hire from inside their's only one person that works there right and he isn't much better than what we had. Yes I do agree that it should be a requirement that the right person chosen for this job would need to relocate but you cant have your cake and eat it to. And as for Everyone around us has grown in recreation but us. Why do you think that is; maybe its because of the person that was in charge of it. And for the dad that wont help anymore. Dont get made just because the good ol'boy network has been shut down maybe your child will learn more this way and have more opportunities. and I agree 100% Rec Pro Publicly stating an opinion of someone before you've met them or given them the opportunity to prove their worth isn't exactly the best method for displaying intelligence or maturity. So let me be the first to welcome Mr. Rodgers to our neighbor hood. I sorry I just couldn't resist.

#6.1 community pride on 03/21/12 at 08:49 AM [Reply]

You mention the good ole'boy way. You know as a life resident of Commerce, I take offense to that. If you are not from here you have no understanding of the pride this community once had in both the recreation department and schools. That since of community pride has long been lost. So when our leaders pass up on qulaified local guys who are from here and understand this community and where it is and how to get it back to where it used to be. I truly think they made a huge mistake. Building a strong community to me begins with the recreation department. So, answer this, How can you build a strong community if you do not live in that community? How can you be fully committed to doing the job if you are not here? I am not buying the good ole'boy comment. If we would have had the good ole'boy here the last 18 years we might be in as bad of shape as we are now? The bottom line here is, I hope that in a year or two from now, we are going through this same process again. The wrong hire will set this community back another 4 or 5 years, when we are already 10 years behind!!!!

#6.1.1 Taxpayer on 03/22/12 at 04:51 PM [Reply]

I'm sorry that you take offense to that. You are right I'm not a life long resident I've only lived here for sixteen years. The thing is, I call it like I see it and maybe with being an outsider I can see the opportunities that our town is missing out on. But I do agree that they should make it a requirement that if you work for the city you should live here.

#7 Welcome on 03/20/12 at 03:51 PM [Reply]

I am very excited we are not getting someone from Commerce... We need a Change, a fresh face.. Someone that will treat everyone the same!

#8 nunya on 03/21/12 at 02:39 PM [Reply]

why all the hate for lonnie? i'm not sure i've ever met a more respectable, dedicated individual. we can only hope that rodgers can fill his shoes. i hope lonnie enjoys his retirement away from all you whining and complaining rednecks. like lonnie, i feel mr. bryant also has the city's best interest in mind. in both of their cases, you don't keep a job like that for that many years by not giving a crap. he will do what's best for the city, and i'm sure he wants retirement as badly as most of you want him out.

#9 On the Inside on 03/23/12 at 12:58 PM [Reply]

It is very easy to say things such as "Hire from within" or "Hire someone local". But there is a piece missing from the equation that few people see and that is the lack of interest from applicants. Only a small handful of residents from Commerce applied for the position and of those that applied none possessed the qualifications required for the job. So would locals rather hire someone qualified from an outlying city or hire someone with no background experience and cross their fingers that they can "catch on"?

#10 you really do not know on 03/23/12 at 03:20 PM [Reply]

For you to say there was not any local guys that was qualified tells me you are not close the situation at all. So tell me this, is a 4 year degree, over 20 years experience not enough qualifications. That is just a start to the qualifications of our local guys. Now, what say you ask our leaders if money was an issue and not qualifications. Ask if a job record of 7 places in 5 years trumps being at one place for the past 15 years. While, you know what I am not sayiing any more "it is what it is" and as it is evident that you was not close to the situation, please be sure before you start speaking about the local guys with no experince. Because that was definately not the case.

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