225BatonRouge.com

They could hardly be more different.

One is black, the other white. One looms well over 6 feet tall; the other is much shorter. One is smooth and urbane; the other more blue-collar working stiff. One once starred as an LSU basketball player and now is a behind-the-scenes political mover and shaker; the other’s a student of history with a disdain for politics.

But together, their leadership will shape the rebirth of BREC.

“We have a commitment to the public to make our parks better, cleaner and safer,” BREC Superintendent Bill Palmer says. “And we are going to fulfill that commitment.”

According to Palmer, despite a host of setbacks—two hurricanes, a nearly 40% jump in construction costs, and political infighting that drove away the previous superintendent and the architect of the redesign strategy—the 5-year plan to re-engineer and modernize the parish’s parks is on schedule, with more than 50 projects now underway and more on the way.

“The public is going to see some absolutely terrific facilities out there,” Palmer says.

Palmer answers to the nine-member BREC Commission, which in 2005 was the problem. A meddling Metro Councilman tried to sack a commissioner then set his sights on then-BREC Superintendent Mark Thornton, who had recently convinced the public to give BREC a whopping $100 million in new tax money to fix the parks.

Commission Chairman Collis Temple Jr., who took over the top spot last year, says BREC’s problems in 2005 were driven by personality conflicts, stubbornness and differences of opinion on the future of the park system and how to get there.

In the past year, a lot of the issues that plagued the Commission and BREC staff have been resolved. “I can get people to look at different sides of the issues and work amicably because I believe you can agree to disagree and still accomplish goals that are common to both parties.”

Temple’s term on the BREC Commission officially ended Dec. 31, so it’s up to the Metro Council whether or not he stays. Because of term-limit rules, Temple needs the vote of nine of the 12 council members to keep his seat.

One of the biggest obstacles BREC’s dynamic duo will face this year is the March 31 vote to renew the existing property tax millage. The tax is a huge part of the agency’s operating budget.

Given all of the recent problems, the question the park system’s two leaders face is this: Does the public still trust BREC?

“The consequences would be very dire for BREC and the public,” Palmer says, adding that there is no tax increase on the ballot.

Temple is optimistic. “I think it’ll pass,” he says. “I think the citizens are aware that the recreation and parks system is vital to

the health and welfare of this community.”