Osborne Out, Parker In As New Ives Center Chairman

DANBURY — At its November board meeting, The Charles Ives Center for the Arts, Inc. accepted the resignation of chairman Michael B. Osborne, and elected its treasurer, Bob Parker, Jr., to the position of chairman.

Mr Osborne will remain on the Ives Center board and will chair a sub-committee charged with the implementation of a proposal to redevelop the 5,500-capacity Ives Concert Park, which is at the westside campus of Western Connecticut State University. The park and outdoor amphitheater has, since 1984, staged music concerts and hosted special events such as President Clinton’s visit to Danbury on September 11.

Donald E. Weeden, the founder and past chairman of the Ives Center, said, “During Mike Osborne’s seven-year tenure, the park has grown steadily as a magnet for summer family entertainment of the highest quality. This has been done by building strong ties with local businesses, state and local government, and through growing financial support from individual contributors.”

The new chairman, Bob Parker, Jr, has served on the Ives Center’s board and executive committee since 1994. He owns several Domino’s Pizza franchises in the region. His wife, Stephanie, is a teacher at Ridgefield High School.

Mr Parker said, “I see my job as building momentum by bringing more marquee names to Danbury and to increase use of [Ives Concert] Park by local entertainers, festival organizers, schools and cultural groups. We’re committed to making the Ives a focal point for friends and family to relax and celebrate,” he added.