Local News in Brief : Dana Point : Recreation Director Runs a Department of 1

Dave Lewis, director of the Capistrano Bay Park and Recreation District, has no time for recreation.

That’s because his two-member staff quit Friday to take other jobs.

Lewis explained that Don Burroughs, his recreation supervisor, had given his 2-week notice effective Friday in order to accept a better job with the city of Lakewood. Then, last week, recreation coordinator Cindy Bartlett gave 3 days’ notice that she would be leaving as well for a new recreation job elsewhere in Orange County.

Lewis was left to run the entire district almost single-handedly. A part-time secretary fields telephone calls, although Lewis was doing that for himself on Wednesday.

Lewis is responsible for making sure all the district’s 21 parks and recreational facilities are in proper working order. He also supervises basketball, softball and tennis programs. And he manages the district’s community center, where the City Council, as well as an assortment of community groups, meet.

Lewis wearily predicts it will take until March to find new staff members. He is running newspaper ads this weekend.

Said Lewis: “It’s gonna be a long 6 to 7 weeks, I’m telling you.”