County parks and rec director stepping down

Jed Fisher is stepping down after 31 years as Flathead County's parks and recreation director.

In a Facebook post Monday, Fisher, 56, said he will work his last day on March 31. He also has served as the county's maintenance director and runs the county's weed-control program.

Among other projects, Fisher led a recent expansion of Volunteer Park in Lakeside and nearly succeeded in pushing for the county to build a gymnasium in Kalispell to host recreation programs. In his role as maintenance director, Fisher has been involved with several county capital improvement projects through the years that included the construction of the South Campus Building and the restoration of the historic courthouse, along with several other building projects.

Early in his career he spent four years as a department head for Glacier County.

Fisher hadn't responded to messages seeking comment as of Tuesday afternoon. His office said he was busy in meetings following his announcement. Commissioner Brad Abell said Fisher notified the commissioners he is stepping down in an email Monday.

"He said he's got some interest in doing something in real estate and being a fishing guide," Abell said.

Abell and Commissioner Pam Holmquist each said Fisher will take with him a lot of "institutional knowledge" that has benefited the county.

"I personally think that his weed program has been very well-managed," Holmquist said. "I think we're kind of a model for the state on that side of things."

She added her grandchildren participate in sports programs run by Fisher's department, and said his efforts to develop Volunteer Park resulted in "a beautiful asset for our whole community there in Lakeside." The lakeshore property on Flathead Lake that became the county-owned Volunteer Park was donated by Lakeside philanthropists Bruce Ennis and Maggie Davis.

The county won't hire a recruiting firm to fill Fisher's position, as it has done to replace retiring County Administrator Mike Pence. Holmquist said the county will advertise the vacancy and take applications. It also could promote someone from within the department.

"We'll try hard to replace him," Abell said.

Reporter Chad Sokol can be reached at 758-4434 or csokol@dailyinterlake.com