Mayor Taps Hinojosa as New Rec Director

Mayor Dan Rizzo this week has put forth Michael Hinojosa as his pick to replace her.

Hinojosa is a Revere High School graduate and is known to be full of energy when it comes to youth activities, having coached extensively in Babe Ruth softball and girl’s basketball.

He was one of the leaders of the middle school girls 16-0 softball season in 2010.

“There were many candidates that we considered for the position but I felt that Michael’s energy and enthusiasm for youth recreational activities and sports programs, as well as his ideas pertaining to older youth/adult programs set him apart,” said Rizzo in a statement released Monday. “Adrienne Maguire served our city with distinction over the past 10 years and I thank her for her service. I’m sure she will carry on this tradition of service as she assumes her new role with the Revere School Department.”

Hinojosa has children in the Revere School system, has worked for Comcast since 2000 and frequently sits in as a sports announcer on the local cable access channel with Peter DiGuilio. He attended Bentley University and Suffolk University after graduating RHS in 1988.

In early November, Rizzo informed Adrienne Maguire that he would not be retaining her in the new year when her contract expired. According to Maguire, he cited that he wanted to take the department in a new direction.

Maguire had served with considerable distinction in the Recreation Department since April 2000, changing the programming and culture there from top to bottom.

When she was removed, hundreds of Revere residents took to Facebook to vent their frustrations – posting opinions about the move and rallying support for Maguire. Even the editor of the Revere High newspaper wrote a pointed editorial about the decision.

Nevertheless, Rizzo has retained Maguire as a nurse in the School Department – a position that Superintendent Paul Dakin said is necessary and will be a positive move. Maguire is a licensed nurse and formerly worked at hospitals in Boston.

“I agree with it and I don’t oppose it,” said Dakin on Monday. “It’s been a need that’s been on the table a long time. I think the Mayor’s desire to retain her in service to the City certainly pushes it along. I think it’s a way in my mind for him and her to come to an amenable agreement about switching jobs. It’s certainly a need in the School Department. It’s been on the table, but hasn’t been filled in some time.”

There are currently 11 school nurses in the system and Maguire will be the 12th. Dakin said five school buildings only have one nurse, and when a nurse is out on vacation or sick leave, it makes for a difficult staffing situation.

He hopes Maguire will be able to help with that, as well as handle paperwork and medical information for newly registered students in the district.

Neither Hinojosa nor Maguire were available for comment about this story.

Meanwhile, Rizzo indicated that he hopes everyone will welcome Hinojosa to the position and give him a chance to implement new ideas for the department, while keeping the some of the great traditions that Maguire has cemented in place.

“His experience in budgeting, recreational programs, and community outreach will all serve him well in his new position,” read Rizzo’s statement. “I hope that we will all welcome him to the position; I look forward to the development and implementation of the many exciting plans he has for the Department. As a father of two sons I understand the importance of youth activities and I am committed to maintain, and increase whenever and wherever possible, services offered through our Recreation Department.”

Presumably, he will begin his tenure in the new year.