LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Mich. – Many people around the Huron-Clinton Metroparks said when you peel away the beauty of the area's crown jewels, major management problems are exposed.
The 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks are supported by a $50 million budget and a property tax levy, but a recent management issue has left residents questioning the way they're run.
Director George Pfifer has been placed on administrative leave with pay in a closed-door board meeting. Allegations are flying about what may have gone wrong.
Local 4 spoke to the Wayne County commission representative on the Metroparks board, who said the suspension is protected by attorney-client privilege.
The acting director said he can't discuss the personnel matter.
Taxpayers are asking if the way the parks are run is a mess.
"In my opinion, yes," said Randy Baker, the president of the Macomb Audubon Society. "Management practices aren't conductive for managing resources."
The Macomb Audubon Society believes the parks are being environmentally mismanaged under Pfifer.
"Right now, there is a big fuss (over) a fawn (that) was killed by mowing, and that brought things to the forefront," Baker said.
Other residents bitterly complained online that Pfifer runs a toxic work environment.
A source in the Wayne County government told Local 4 there are also concerns about how the tax dollars are being used. But right now, nobody with the Metroparks will say exactly why Pfifer has been suspended.