University City Hires New Public Works and Parks Director

University City has hired a new Director of Public Works and Parks.

Richard Wilson will start the position on Monday, November 28th. According to U City, Wilson is a professional engineer with 25 years of experience. Since 2006, he has served as the Public Works Director for Franklin County, Missouri. From 1998 to 2006 he was the City Engineer for Belleville, Illinois. Wilson's engineering degree is from Michigan Technological University. He is also a pastor, having graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary.

According to comments made by Councilmember Terry Crow at Monday night's City Council meeting, Evelyn Shields-Benford was removed as the director of Public Works for University City late last month.

When asked about her removal last week, City Manager Lehman Walker said he did not comment on personnel issues. Shields-Benford did not return a phone call from Patch seeking comment on her employment status.

University City posted the position for Director of Public Works and Parks on September 1, 2011. The position oversees the newly created Public Works and Parks Department. The department was created by the recent merger of the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department with the Public Works Department.