Local News in Brief : OK on Agonia as State Parks Chief Expected

The state Senate next week is expected to confirm Gov. George Deukmejian’s appointment of Henry R. Agonia, formerly director of the Glendale Parks and Recreation Department, as state parks director.

The Senate rules committee last week endorsed Agonia’s appointment by a 4-0 vote. A vote on the recommendation was postponed in February after Sen. Henry J. Mello (D-Watsonville) requested more time to study Agonia’s plans for parks within Mello’s Northern California district.

Mello, a member of the rules committee, was among senators who endorsed Agonia last week.

Agonia, 45, of La Crescenta was appointed director of the state Department of Parks and Recreation last spring to replace William S. Briner, who resigned after being accused of racism and sex discrimination.

Agonia had worked for the Glendale parks department since 1970 and had been its director for his last 10 years there.