News
December 30, 2008
Community Services Director Hardy Watkins Is Retiring
Hardy Watkins, director of the City of Raleigh Community Services Department for nearly 12 years, is retiring effective Thursday, Jan. 1. City Manager J. Russell Allen has named Kristen Rosselli, a budget and management analyst in the City’s Budget Office, as interim director of Community Services.
Mr. Watkins was hired by the City of Raleigh 33 years ago in 1975. He started his City career as a telecommunicator in the Emergency Communications Center. He then joined the City’s Inspections Department, working first as an inspector in the Housing Environmental Division and then as a zoning inspector in the department’s Zoning Division. He was later promoted to zoning inspector supervisor. He eventually left the Inspections Department to join the City Manager’s office, first as the City’s complaint administrator and later as neighborhood services administrator. Then-City Manager Dempsey E. Benton appointed Mr. Watkins as Community Services director in 1997.
“Mr Watkins has proved to be a versatile and valuable employee over his 33 years of service to the City,” Mr. Allen said. “In his work as Community Services director, he has dedicated his professional efforts and personal passion to neighborhood improvement and citizen participation through many innovative programs.”
The Community Services Department provides innovative services and programs to enhance the quality of life for citizens and neighborhoods in Raleigh. The department’s main focus is citizen involvement and volunteer services. Mr. Watkins rattled off a list of achievements during his stint as Community Services director.
“I am proud of the establishment of a full-time youth services coordinator position, the establishment of a Latino Affairs initiative and a host of support programs to empower our citizens through knowledge and resources and, at the same time, strengthen our Citizen Advisory Councils,” Mr. Watkins said. “Some of these support programs are Neighborhood Improvement Grants, the Neighborhood College, the Neighborhood Association Registry, the Raleigh Neighborhood Exchange, We Are Neighbors, the Citizens’ Participation Leadership Institute, and Neighborhood Quality Teams.”
Following retirement from the City, Mr. Watkins said he will remain as pastor of Revelation Baptist Church in Raleigh. “I will also continue to be involved through my neighborhood association in quality of life issues citywide and continue my work to involve our youth in the governance process …,” he said, adding that community vegetable gardening also will be one of his top hobbies.
The City Manager said he will launch a national search in the spring for the next Community Services director. Internal candidates also would be considered for the post. Mr. Allen said he hopes to appoint a permanent Community Services director by June.
Ms. Rosselli, the interim Community Services director, has been a City employee since 2003 when she joined the staff of the Police Department as a strategic initiatives manager. After five years working in the Police Department, she moved over to the City’s Budget Office where she has served as a budget and management analyst for one year.
Prepared by:
John Boyette
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
Hardy Watkins
Community Services Director
Community Services Department
310 West Martin Street, Suite 201
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-831-6100
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