Naperville meeting canceled due to park director's leave

A Thursday meeting - in which the Naperville Park director's unexplained leave of absence was to be clarified - was canceled today.

Park officials on Tuesday said Daniel Betts, the park district's executive director for four months, was taking a leave of absence for an unspecified time. No details were provided, and Betts declined comment, but park board President Suzanne Hart said the leave was not expected, but the matter likely would be cleared up at a special meeting called for Thursday evening.

However, a notice faxed to various media stated the meeting was cancelled. No reason was given, nor was it rescheduled.

Betts, the former deputy director of recreation in Denver, took over the reins of the Naperville Park District in March.

His leave followed a closed-door session meeting with the park board Monday night.

The hard drive from Betts' park district computer was removed Tuesday, a move Hart said was "strictly protocol."

Still, the park board has had a rocky road with its recent directors. They've had eight leaders in 12 years. And they've been working with a consultant to help resolve problems with infighting, conflict and communication that served as roadblocks to progress.