FAVORITISM ALLEGED IN COUNCIL PICK WAS PANEL MEMBER SPEIRER BACKER?

Byline: JUDY O'ROURKE Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- A member of the committee that recommended top choices for appointment to a vacancy on the Santa Clarita City Council worked behind the scenes months ago to promote prospect Bob Spierer, then gave him the highest ranking possible when the independent panel met last week, two local business leaders said Friday.

Larry Mankin, president and chief executive officer of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, said he met July 17 with Connie Worden Roberts and Spierer, a man she favored for a likely vacancy on the council.

``She was coming as an interested citizen who thought she had a great candidate,'' Mankin said Friday. ``She did -- the final five are all great candidates.''

Spierer talked about community issues and sought Mankin's feedback on key matters, particularly from a business perspective, Mankin said.

Chris Fall, chairman of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce board who served on the community panel with Worden Roberts, said he was contacted for a similar meeting.

``I received a phone call back in July from Connie Worden Roberts to set up a meeting to meet Bob Spierer,'' Fall said Friday, noting he was unable to attend.

Worden Roberts said Friday that before the panel convened, she had not met with Spierer or any other prospect regarding the council appointment. She also said she made no phone calls to promote Spierer.

``I was on the citizens group and talked to him then,'' she said.

Spierer, a retired sheriff's chief and former Santa Clarita area commander, did not return several calls seeking comment.

Spierer was the top candidate, according to rankings by the 16-member council-approved community panel that convened Dec. 1.

When the City Council interviewed candidates at a special meeting Wednesday, Spierer said in response to a question from Councilman Frank Ferry that he did not meet with any panelists regarding the appointment before the interviews and that he was unaware of anyone promoting him for the council seat.

Gloria Mercado Fortine, a member of the William S. Hart Union High School District board, spoke Wednesday on Spierer's behalf, calling him the most qualified for the council post.

``I have so much respect for Bob Spierer,'' Mercado Fortine said Friday. ``He is not one who seeks the limelight. He works in the background. He has been very committed to this community even after he was assigned downtown as a deputy chief.''

Spierer sits with Mercado Fortine on the city's anti-gang task force, has worked with local school districts and is highly ethical, she said.

Worden Roberts gave Spierer the top score on the five-point scale ranking candidates. Fall gave Spierer one point, but included him in his top five of the 15 who had applied.

Candidates were interviewed Wednesday, and the council hopes to make a decision Tuesday.

The vacancy on the council occurred when former Councilman Cameron Smyth won a seat last month in the state Assembly. The council voted after the Nov. 7 election to appoint a successor to fill the remaining 1 1/2 years of his term rather than spend about $175,000 on a special election.

The other four top candidates are city Planning Commissioner Bill Kennedy, Parks Commissioner Laurie Ender, Saugus High School Principal Bill Bolde and Newhall County Water District Board President Maria Gutzeit.

If the council picks a replacement for Smyth on Wednesday, the new member would be installed Dec. 19. The council has until Jan. 3 to name a successor or call a special election. The council will meet at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd.

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