Smith out as head of Los Angeles port media director

Smith out as head of Los Angeles port media director Gordon Smith, appointed as the Los Angeles port's director of media relations less than three months ago, is no longer on the port payroll.
   The reason for Smith's departure was not disclosed and port officials have not announced a replacement.
   The former Los Angeles bureau chief for Copley News Service, who also served as a reporter for the San Diego Union-Tribune, was hired under a temporary contract while awaiting the outcome of a civil service process.
   Most port positions require an applicant to take a competitive civil service examination for a specific job classification and score in a certain percentile to be eligible for the position. City rules also give city employees priority for open permanent positions within city departments.
   As the head of media relations, Smith oversaw port interaction with the media, as well as the coordination of press conferences, interviews and media visits to the port.
   In other Port of Los Angeles staffing news, the port's governing board last week approved a 5 percent 'merit pay adjustment' for port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz. Retroactive to July 1, 2007 the raise boosts Knatz pay to $280,875 per year.