Lancaster Panelist Is a Palmdale Resident

A Lancaster parks commissioner has been living in Palmdale for the last 2 1/2 years with the knowledge of at least some city officials, even though municipal law says such jobs are open only to Lancaster residents.

William Montamble, 61, a member of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission, has acknowledged moving from Lancaster to Palmdale after getting married in mid-1989, according to Councilman George Theophanis, who appointed Montamble to the commission in 1988.

Theophanis said other council members and city officials knew of Montamble’s residence change but never pressed the issue. He said he would not ask Montamble to resign from the advisory panel. Instead, he said, the city should delete the residency requirement.

Montamble could not be reached for comment Thursday. Public records show that he has been registered to vote in Palmdale since September, 1989, and that the Palmdale home is the only one he owns in the area.

Parks commissioners are paid $50 per meeting, city officials said.