City fires campground managers

Creamers managed Ottumwa Park’s campground for 11 years

BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER

OTTUMWA — For more than a decade, Doug and Bonnie Creamer were the faces of Ottumwa Park.

The couple managed the park’s campground during camping season the past 11 years.

But in 2010, that will change. The Creamers are no longer the team who will supervise campers after they recently learned their services had been terminated by the city.

The decision has sparked angry responses from some campers and residents.

In a letter to the editor, Murl and Bonita Clay of Atkins, Ark., wrote:

“[The Creamers] were always hard-working, trying to keep the park nice and clean for the campers. I think this is a big mistake on the city’s part. You won’t ever find anyone to do all they did.

“I remember one time Doug and Bonnie were gone for two years. Things really went downhill fast, and everyone was thrilled to see them come back. They are hometown people who really cared about the park and the campers, too.”

Shirley Smith Stevens of Casa, Ark., agreed. She told the Courier that she was “so disappointed” the Creamers wouldn’t be back next season, adding:

“This town is never going to be like it used to be. Everyone on the City Council needs to go, even you, Mr. R., because back in September 2007 you asked for suggestions on your new job. You got them, but you paid no attention to them,” she wrote.

“There are many of us who will not be camping in Ottumwa Park anymore ... Guess you don’t realize there are more places in our hometown area to camp. It may cost a little more in gas and time, but it will be well worth it!”

Ottumwa Parks Director Gene Rathje said he “can’t comment on personnel issues.”

The Creamers “were seasonal employees hired for April 1 to Oct. 31 and they had no contract,” he said.

From his winter home in Mission, Texas, Doug Creamer told the Courier he was saddened by the city’s decision.

“I’m not saying I’m perfect,” he said. “But, I think I was wrongfully let go on the situations they stated.”

Creamer didn’t want to name any campers or city staff members. He did say the park “is hard to run.

“You can’t have kids there and people who want to go too fast in the campground,” he said.

He spoke of someone who he said received permission from Rathje “to use a four-wheeler in a handicapped situation for going from the trailer to the shelter house.

“Then I saw the guy was out on the back road running that wheeler as fast as he could,” Creamer said. “He got mad when I told him to park it.”

Creamer also said Rathje had told him about a couple of complaints he’d received from campers but would not tell Creamer who had complained, what the complaint was or when it had occurred.

“I don’t aim to stir up any fire, but I have to do something when someone backs over an electric box or a water pipe,” he said.

If the complaint had been “huge,” Creamer said the city “should have come to” him.

“But they didn’t,” he added.

Former Ottumwa City Councilman Gerald Brees and his wife, Kay, expressed concern for the Creamers:

“Rest assured that many campers and residents of Ottumwa think you have done a wonderful, caring job. It makes one wonder when a few city employees are able to destroy the livelihood of two hard-working people, like yourselves, without showing appropriate cause.

“I am glad you shared with me the lack of personnel documentation to support the city’s action and the fact that you were not allowed to see your personnel file. Having served on the city council, I expected more from the leadership of this city.

“After seeing how the city handles some of it personnel concerns and its way of thanking you for 11 years of service, you may be better off not being a part of it.”

Like Rathje, City Administrator Joe Helfenberger said he could not discuss the situation because it’s “a personnel matter.

“The Creamers were told they wouldn’t be hired for the following season,” he said. “We’re advertising to fill the position for the next season.”

Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.

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