Studio City : Park Director’s Fate Still Undecided

The fate of a popular park director remains up in the air after a city Recreation and Parks Department announcement Friday that it has not decided whether to reassign Jon Klay.

Klay, director of the Studio City Recreation Center, was the subject of a petition drive by park users who sought to keep him at the park.

Klay’s supporters praised Klay as someone who expanded programming and created a sense of community at the park.

Last month, park department officials decided to switch Klay and the director of the Stonehurst Recreation Center in Sun Valley.

Under pressure from residents and after questioning by City Councilman Mike Feuer, the department announced Jan. 10 that it would reconsider and make a final decision by Friday.

On Friday, however, Maggie Whelan, personnel director for the park department, said Jackie Tatum, department general manager, had not made a decision because she has been preoccupied with other matters.

Tatum was at a conference Friday and could not be reached for comment.

“It’s still being evaluated,” Whelan said.

Whelan said she did not know when the decision would be made.

Tatum’s secretary said that Tatum would not make the call until Jim Andervitch, assistant general manager, returned from vacation and reported to her on the situation. Andervitch is due back from vacation Feb. 20.

Klay will stay on at the Studio City park until a final decision is made, Whelan said.