HAHN GOES FOR NEW LOOK ON PANELS VALLEY ACTIVIST QUITS, SAYS MAYOR `VIOLATED A TRUST'.Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer Just two months after Controller Laura Chick criticized the lack of women on city commissions, Mayor James Hahn For the Iowa politician, see . James Kenneth "Jim" Hahn (born July 3, 1950) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He was the Deputy City Attorney (1975-1979), City Controller (1981-1985), City Attorney (1985-2001) and Mayor of Los Angeles, California named four women Tuesday to city planning city planning, process of planning for the improvement of urban centers in order to provide healthy and safe living conditions, efficient transport and communication, adequate public facilities, and aesthetic surroundings. panels, infuriating one of the male commissioners he sought to remove from office. Longtime long·time adj. Having existed or persisted for a long time: a longtime friend; a longtime resident of Detroit. longtime Adjective San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. activist Nate Brogin said he was insulted by what he saw as Hahn impugning his integrity by seeking to oust oust tr.v. oust·ed, oust·ing, ousts 1. To eject from a position or place; force out: "the American Revolution, which ousted the English" Virginia S. Eifert. him by City Council action from the South Valley Area Planning Commission Noun 1. planning commission - a commission delegated to propose plans for future activities and developments commission, committee - a special group delegated to consider some matter; "a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours" - Milton Berle . Brogin, who served in the post for 15 months, said in a sharply-worded letter of resignation that Hahn had ``violated a trust and confidence.'' He questioned whether a disabled combat veteran was being replaced because he was ``not the right gender, or other priority consideration, in support of your political goals'' even as he was being solicited for campaign contributions. ``You have impugned my integrity, I will be pleased to rely on my track record of integrity and hard work, and you likely will be mired mire n. 1. An area of wet, soggy, muddy ground; a bog. 2. Deep slimy soil or mud. 3. A disadvantageous or difficult condition or situation: the mire of poverty. v. in your own,'' he wrote. Aides to Hahn said they would not comment directly on Brogin's decision to resign or specifics regarding him. ``The mayor is making some changes on commissions, but they are designed to increase the participation of residents,'' spokeswoman Shannon Murphy said. ``The mayor appreciates the work of his commissioners, but feels there are some where we can increase the diversity of the panels by geography and gender.'' Hahn nominated nom·i·nate tr.v. nom·i·nat·ed, nom·i·nat·ing, nom·i·nates 1. To propose by name as a candidate, especially for election. 2. To designate or appoint to an office, responsibility, or honor. Patricia Patano to serve on the panel in Brogin's place. He is also replacing three other planning commissioners: Mitch Menzer from the Citywide Planning Commission, Arturo Ybarra from the South Los Angeles South Los Angeles is the official name for a large geographic and cultural area lying to the southwest and southeast of downtown Los Angeles, California. The area was formerly called South Central Los Angeles, and is still sometimes called South Central. Area Planning Commission and Mary Lou Dudas from the Central Area Planning Commission. Hahn named Susan Cline cline, in biology, any gradual change in a particular characteristic of a population of organisms from one end of the geographical range of the population to the other. to replace Menzer, Cecilia Nuez to take Ybarra's place and Nancy Whang to replace Dudas. In October, Chick, who has turned from ally to foe of Hahn, released figures showing that women made up 41 percent of all commission appointments but only three of the 17 members of the powerful harbor, airport and water and power panels. She also noted there is a lack of geographic and economic diversity in Hahn's appointments. Five of the 15 council districts are wholly within the San Fernando Valley yet they supply only 67 of the residents who fill the city's 346 commission slots. Chick was out of town Tuesday and unavailable for comment. Councilman Dennis Zine, who had originally suggested Brogin's appointment and supported Patano's appointment to replace him, said he was disappointed with the resignation letter Brogin sent to the mayor with copies to council members. ``(Brogin) has done a good job and he was being considered for another commission,'' Zine said. ``I nominated (Patano) and think she will do a good job.'' In an e-mail response to Brogin, Zine wrote: ``I can't believe you are making such a big deal about the commission position. The mayor is just moving people around. I was the one who nominated you to the mayor. Your letter to the mayor was not necessary.'' Others being replaced apparently had no objection. ``I have served on this commission for four years and it takes a lot of time that I don't have now,'' Menzer said. Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com |
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