Calistoga City Manager Defends Decision to Hire Hercules' Former Finance Director

The City of Calistoga is defending its recent move to hire former Hercules Finance Director Gloria Leon, who left her position with Hercules in the midst of the city's .

Calistoga City Manager Richard Spitler said he is confident in his decision to hire Leon as chief financial officer, the Weekly Calistogan reported this week.

Leon served as Hercules' head of finance for three years under City Manager Nelson Oliva. She was demoted to assistant finance director by interim City Manager Charlie Long in October, 2010. Leon abruptly left Hercules in January for undisclosed reasons.