Staub stays put 

Larry Staub, director of the Monroe County Parks Department, won't join the County Legislature after all.

Earlier this month, Legislature President Jeff Adair appointed Staub to fill a vacant Perinton-based seat in the Legislature. But last week, Staub sent a letter to Adair declining the job and Adair appointed Perinton Republican Dorothy Styk instead.

"After serious reflection and heartfelt conversations with my family and friends, I have reached the conclusion that I am just not ready to leave the Monroe County Department of Parks," Staub wrote. "The reward and satisfaction that I feel at the end of each day's work is too special to give up, at this time in my life."

Staub says the department faces several challenges and opportunities in the near future, such as transitioning municipal golf courses to county operations. The county currently contracts out the maintenance and operations of its golf courses to Jack Tindale, Inc. But both parties have agreed to terminate the contract; the decision came after years of complaints about course maintenance and a decision by the state Comptroller's Office to audit the contract.

Staub's letter also mentions a couple of other parks initiatives that might grab attention: developing new master and strategic plans for the Seneca Park Zoo, and planning improvements at several parks, including Powder Mills and Mendon Ponds.