Somerton hires new parks and recreation director
SOMERTON — Jesus Meza is making the jump from San Luis, Ariz., to Somerton to head up the city’s parks and recreation department.
By recent unanimous vote, the Somerton City Council picked Meza from among five finalists to be the new parks and recreation director, a post he is scheduled to assume this month.
A longtime amateur athlete in south Yuma County, Meza currently is assistant director of the parks and recreation program in San Luis.
“I am very happy and thankful for the opportunity the city of Somerton is providing me,” he said. “It’s a city of hardworking people, one full of potential. It has many things in its favor and many good qualities in general as a community.”
Meza succeeds Sergio Davalos, who was fired by city as Somerton parks director in May.
As parks director, he will oversee a department that organizes the city’s athletic, recreational and cultural programs, operates the city’s senior center and maintains Somerton parks and public green areas.
Meza, who holds a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation administration from Northern Arizona University, has worked more than eight years in the San Luis parks program, the last two as its assistant director.
A resident of San Luis, he has been participated for many years in athletic leagues in that city.
In hiring Meza, the council accepted the recommendation of a committee that reviewed applicants’ credentials and interviewed the finalists. In all, 24 candidates sought the position.
The parks director post was one of two administrative vacancies at City Hall.
City Administratator Ian McGaughen said finalists for the police chief vacancy are now being interviewed. Joseph Turitto resigned as chief in March.