Whitehead serving as park director

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Jason Whitehead, assumed the duties of parks and recreation director at a parks board meeting Thursday.

It was the board's first meeting since former director Joseph McRae, left office May 9 after accepting an early retirement incentive package. Board of Control members authorized a $40,000 severance package for McRae Thursday.

Whitehead has acted as parks director for two days, he said.