Jon Gurban forced out as Minneapolis park board's controversial superintendent

Gurban sat through the debate but stood up and left in silence following the vote.

The Star Tribune's editorial board, a longtime critic of Gurban and the commissioners who support him, congratulated the board for the vote in a February 6 article:

Rick Sealock

courtesy of MPRB

"He is the CEO of the park system, and if he hasn't developed emotional maturity to handle public discourse, that's a problem," says a former commissioner candidate of Jon Gurban.

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• Jon Gurban
• Ted Wirth
• Vivian Mason
• Politics
• Local Politics

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"Disingenuous is perhaps the most charitable term to describe several longtime Minneapolis Park Board commissioners' objections to a search for a new superintendent. Community relations, never a strong suit for Gurban, will be a priority in years to come when private funding must replace ever-shrinking taxpayer funds. It's time for a leader with innovative ideas."

Gurban declined to comment for this story. Parks spokeswoman Dawn Sommers says Gurban believes his strong record and job evaluations speak for the work he's done as superintendent.

Now board members are considering what qualities they will look for in the next superintendent. Councilwoman Goodman says they have a big task ahead of them.

"I don't think it's my role to tell them, but if I were sitting in their shoes right now, the most important thing they can do is pick a local leader who is held in high esteem by different partners and constituencies of the parks."