A key employee for the Bristol Development Authority, 58-year-old Mike Parks, died of a heart attack last night.
Parks was a housing rehabilitation expert who looked after programs to help people fix up homes and businesses.
“Mike was a very dedicated, conscientious employee who was always looking to provide assistance and guidance to anybody under his purview,” Mayor Art Ward said.
Ward said that Parks was joking around and happy yesterday, but died of a heart attack about 1 a.m.
“For me, he was also a good friend,” Ward said.
Parks was married to the city’s tax collector, Mildred Parks.
On a personal note, I have to say that Mike was unfailingly helpful to me and a good man besides.
I recall one time when I had some story that didn't quite say what Mike thought it should. On reflection, I agreed with him and apologized for missing the mark. He told me I was allowed to get it wrong once and proceeded to continue being as decent as always.
My sympathies to Millie and his whole family.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Showing posts with label Mike Parks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Parks. Show all posts
September 4, 2008
September 5, 2007
Hands off the Roberts property
Another press release today, this one from Republican mayoral hopeful Ken Johnson:
Ken Johnson, the Republican nominee for Mayor of Bristol today called on the City of Bristol to consider leaving the Roberts property as passive recreation space for years to come. Johnson, seeking to replace Bill Stortz as Mayor of Bristol, said, “Leave it alone.”
The Republican nominee stated today that he would prefer that the Roberts property remain as open space, but he did acknowledge that in future years the city may have good cause to use this property for other purposes. In addition, Johnson said he would favor a sports complex “when the city can afford it” and “somewhere other than a residential neighborhood.”
Johnson called the proposal for a $30M+ sports complex in Bristol on the Roberts property “an expensive pipedream.” “These are good thoughts and I applaud the discussion however, it is not practical in today’s financial environment.” Johnson added, “Bonding for this ultimately puts Bristol further in debt and would have our children and grandchildren paying the bill.”
“Right now residents of Bristol are telling me they are looking for tax relief from their local leaders,’ Johnson continued, “constructing a multi-million dollar sports complex is not going to provide the relief that the citizens of Bristol need.”
Johnson stated, “My opponents are long-time politicians and members of the City Council. I am disheartened at the lack of commitment to prioritizing our spending -- and that means focusing on what we need, not what we want. The safety and security of our citizens is a need; the education of our children is a need; the construction of a sports complex? Come on!”
Johnson is pushing for several government reforms in his campaign for Mayor with one of them being a referendum on large bonding or capital projects. “This project is one that would require a citywide referendum if my proposal is implemented,” Johnson said.
Johnson added that it should ultimately be the citizens of Bristol who decide what to do with the Roberts property, but with the aging condition of our schools and the need for an influx of cash to address this important need, I believe it is in Bristol’s best interest to leave the Roberts property as it is.
“Bristol could always use more open space,” Johnson said.
*******
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Ken Johnson, the Republican nominee for Mayor of Bristol today called on the City of Bristol to consider leaving the Roberts property as passive recreation space for years to come. Johnson, seeking to replace Bill Stortz as Mayor of Bristol, said, “Leave it alone.”
The Republican nominee stated today that he would prefer that the Roberts property remain as open space, but he did acknowledge that in future years the city may have good cause to use this property for other purposes. In addition, Johnson said he would favor a sports complex “when the city can afford it” and “somewhere other than a residential neighborhood.”
Johnson called the proposal for a $30M+ sports complex in Bristol on the Roberts property “an expensive pipedream.” “These are good thoughts and I applaud the discussion however, it is not practical in today’s financial environment.” Johnson added, “Bonding for this ultimately puts Bristol further in debt and would have our children and grandchildren paying the bill.”
“Right now residents of Bristol are telling me they are looking for tax relief from their local leaders,’ Johnson continued, “constructing a multi-million dollar sports complex is not going to provide the relief that the citizens of Bristol need.”
Johnson stated, “My opponents are long-time politicians and members of the City Council. I am disheartened at the lack of commitment to prioritizing our spending -- and that means focusing on what we need, not what we want. The safety and security of our citizens is a need; the education of our children is a need; the construction of a sports complex? Come on!”
Johnson is pushing for several government reforms in his campaign for Mayor with one of them being a referendum on large bonding or capital projects. “This project is one that would require a citywide referendum if my proposal is implemented,” Johnson said.
Johnson added that it should ultimately be the citizens of Bristol who decide what to do with the Roberts property, but with the aging condition of our schools and the need for an influx of cash to address this important need, I believe it is in Bristol’s best interest to leave the Roberts property as it is.
“Bristol could always use more open space,” Johnson said.
*******
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
June 21, 2007
New tax collector?
Just recently, the four-year term of city Tax Collector Mildred Funk came to an end.
As city councilors considered her reappointment, Mayor William Stortz declared, "We're going to make a change."
And the council proceeded to back, unanimously, the appointment of Mildred Parks as tax collector until June 2011.
Of course, it's the same person. Since her last appointment, Funk married Mike Parks, a Bristol Development Authority housing rehab expert.
Best wishes to them both.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
As city councilors considered her reappointment, Mayor William Stortz declared, "We're going to make a change."
And the council proceeded to back, unanimously, the appointment of Mildred Parks as tax collector until June 2011.
Of course, it's the same person. Since her last appointment, Funk married Mike Parks, a Bristol Development Authority housing rehab expert.
Best wishes to them both.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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