Community Services Director Brook Adie sports a legend T-shirt featuring Scott Morgan’s least favorite photograph on Thursday at the CVIC Hall.
The year after Scott Morgan became the first director of Douglas County’s Parks and Recreation Department, R-C Photographer Belinda Grant was able to convince him to lay down in the grass for a portrait.
The photo of Morgan, whose 31 years were celebrated on Thursday with the creation of an award for Excellence in Public Service for county employees, appeared in the Carson Valley Almanac on April 23, 1995.
Morgan has been grousing about that picture ever since, so it seemed fitting that Community Services employees were sporting black T-shirts with the photo and the word “Legend.” across the front.
He lit up when told on Thursday that the negative for the photo was likely gone.
“You mean that photo has been destroyed?” he asked.
One person at the party at the CVIC Hall reported Morgan told a crowd he’d almost been fired over the photo.
Back in April 1995, Morgan told R-C reporter Carissa Cronkright that he believes parks instill a sense of community.
“If you have a well-run parks system, which we do, you can enhance the value of the community,” he said.
At Thursday’s proclamation hearing, Morgan said he wasn’t someone who was easily humbled, but he was humbled by the outpouring of support.
“I truly leave the organization in great hands,” he said of the department. “They won’t miss a beat.”
County Manager Jenifer Davidson said Morgan was someone who led with empathy.
“He is a force of nature,” she said. “Your legacy is woven into Douglas County and will be for years to come. You make us feel like family, not by what we achieve, but by the positive impact we have on others.”
Commission Chairwoman Sharla Hales read the seven page proclamation detailing Morgan’s legacy in Douglas County, sans where-ases.
Two days prior to the celebration, Morgan was running the presentation on a proposal to buy Carson Valley Cinema.
Whether that comes to fruition or not, Morgan said he will continue in his retirement to carry a torch and work hard for Douglas County.