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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, November 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 27, 2004 Four-county DHS manager resigns The state Department of Human Services manager for four Southern Oregon counties resigned abruptly last week, indicating she wanted to devote more time to personal interests. Ida Saito, 51, who led DHS programs in Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake counties, left work on Thursday with plans to use accumulated leave until her retirement is official. "This may seem sudden, but it is a decision I have struggled with for some time," Saito wrote in an internal e-mail to dozens of colleagues. "I am looking forward to spending time with my grandchildren and pursuing all those hobbies and interests that have been on hold for the past several years." Frank Lucas, Saito’s assistant manager, will serve as interim director, said Patricia Feeny, a DHS spokeswoman. Lucas plans to retire within several months, so another manager will be named. "We need to do some maneuvering in short order," Feeny said. Saito’s departure caps a 27-year career in state social services. She spent about 24 years managing local welfare services. In 2001, Saito was one of 16 managers named statewide after separate branches of state agencies merged to form an integrated DHS. In 2003, Saito assumed responsibility for Lake and Klamath counties when another manager stepped down. Saito’s resignation came as a surprise to many, Feeny said. She had no explanation for the abrupt departure, other than Saito’s e-mail. Saito did not return a call to her Grants Pass home Tuesday. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities