The Monticello-Wayne County Memorial Park Board has eliminated the positions of Park Director and Assistant Park Director and created a new position for a Parks and Recreation Executive Director.

The action was taken two weeks ago during a special meeting of the board. Present were chairman Todd McFarland and board members Bill McClellan, Robert Parmlee, Scott Flynn and Randy Gregory.

McClellan made the motion to eliminate the two positions and create the new position, which was seconded by Parmlee. It was approved unanimously by the board.

Park Director David Upchurch and his assistant were laid off effective December 1. Upchurch attended the special meeting.

The board reviewed a job description for the new position, which included a list of duties. McFarland said he had compiled the job description after speaking with officials at a couple of other parks in Kentucky.

The job description was accepted by the board. They then discussed advertising the new position. McClellan made a motion to run the ad in The Outlook for two weeks, beginning January 12.

All board members voted in favor of advertising the position, except Gregory. He told board members that the only reason he was voting against the action was because of legal concerns. He said he had not spoken with either the city or county attorney about the matter.

McFarland noted that resumes will be accepted by e-mail through 12 noon on January 26. Resumes that are mailed must be postmarked by January 24. He said a complete job description will be available at Monticello City Hall.

McFarland indicated that a committee will be appointed to review resumes and to conduct interviews to fill the position.

Upchurch did make a statement before the meeting adjourned. He noted that for the past two or three years he had put everything he had into the park. He indicated this past year he had helped pay for labor on the new storage building that was constructed.

“I just hate to get fired in that same year,” stated Upchurch.