Azusa : Administrator Confirmed

Julio Fuentes, who was named interim city administrator last month, was given the job permanently this week by the Azusa City Council on a 3-2 vote, with Mayor Eugene Moses and Councilwoman Jennie Avila dissenting.

Moses called Fuentes, 30, inexperienced and unqualified. Avila said the position should be filled through open recruiting. But Councilman Lucio Cruz said he saw no need to spend money on recruiting when the city already has “a very competent person” in the job. And Councilman Bruce Latta said Fuentes “has proved himself.”

Fuentes, formerly assistant city administrator, lives in Santa Fe Springs and is a member of the Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees. He succeeds Lloyd Wood, who held the dual position of police chief and city administrator for 3 1/2 years. Wood relinquished the top city job but remains police chief.