Best of Series: I Miss Mark Brendanawicz

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

End of Summer “Best of Series” / Blog Originally Posted on March 5, 2012

I absolutely love the TV show Parks and Recreation, which is now in its 4^th season on NBC.  It stars former Saturday Night Live performer Amy Poehler.   It’s an absurd “mockumentary” style sitcom about the inner workings of a fictional town called Pawnee.

The show is fun to watch.  Folks that work for local government, like me, don’t have many TV shows to call our own.   Medical professionals have House M.D. and Grey’s Anatomy.   Law enforcement officers have CSI and Bones.  Lawyers have The Firm and Law and Order.  Finally, we now have a show that we can relate to.

I really miss City Planner Mark Brendanawicz, who was played by actor Paul Schneider.  The actor left the show last year to pursue a film career.  City Planner Mark was really cool, smart, and easy going.  They called him “The Fixer” because he knew the town’s history and how to get things done.

I found Mark so interesting because I could relate to him.   He left college optimistic about his career in urban planning and dreamed of saving the world.  However, his work at Pawnee involved boring technical issues, such as reviewing parking lot design.  As a result, he grew jaded with the profession.   The character’s storyline was designed to be a hidden warning for planners like myself.   It’s interesting how a crazy sitcom can send a message.

I never want to find myself disillusioned like City Planner Mark.   Luckily, I don’t think it is possible working for the City of Auburn Hills.

Check out this fun show.  It typically airs on Thursday’s at 8:30 p.m. on NBC.  I think you will like it.