California parks director calling it quits

By Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times

Anthony Jackson, the former Marine major general who took over California’s parks department with a mandate to reform the troubled agency, is leaving after 18 months on the job.

Jackson became the department’s director in the wake of an accounting scandal, and he is departing in the middle of an ongoing review of park operations. His last day is June 30.

Despite some improvements, a draft report from the Parks Forward commission said more changes are still needed.

“Despite years of well-intentioned external reports and internal strategic plans, the Department has not yet been able to achieve the magnitude or scope of change needed,” the report said.

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