According to Orion Township officials, Parks & Recreation Director Rock Blanchard has taken a medical leave of absence from his position, with no specified return date.
Township Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk would not expand on the issue, noting that Blanchard’s leave went into effect on Jan. 17.
Programming Supervisor Jennifer Rowe is serving as a temporary department head and was given a 10-percent pay increase at Monday’s regular meeting of the township board, though no other action was taken on any parks issues.
Blanchard has been part of the ongoing investigation with regards to Friendship Park and was the center of an Oakland County Sheriff’s Investigation after a contracted township employee claimed Blanchard requested a ‘kickback? in order to extend his contract.
The OCSD investigation did not lead to any further action, but some board members are eagerly awaiting the results of the park investigation.
Trustee Matt Gibb said he was hoping the issues related to that investigation and the director’s position would be discussed during the meeting Monday night.
‘We’re acting under the direct order of our attorney,? Dywasuk said in response to Gibb’s comments. ‘We’re not going to put the township in jeopardy.?