New Director Named for Parks, Recreation
A new parks and recreation director in San Fernando was named Thursday to replace Jess Margarito, the popular but controversial director fired in January.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Ed Montan, assistant parks and recreation director for Manhattan Beach, after learning he had been named to the San Fernando post.
More than 40 people applied to replace Margarito as director. Montan was named after a closed session with the City Council on Wednesday night, said City Administrator Mary Strenn.
“There’s no beach in San Fernando,” said Montan, talking about the differences between the two communities which are roughly the same size. But, even so, the beach is county-run and is not a part of the parks and recreation department in Manhattan Beach.
“I haven’t always worked in beach communities,” said Montan, who has been in Manhattan Beach for six years.
The position, which pays from $57,000 to $70,000, involves planning and developing recreational and community programs in the largely Latino city.
Montan said he would be coming to San Fernando in a couple of weeks, after wrapping up a couple of projects in Manhattan Beach.
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