Posted on 03/04/2005 9:44:56 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Environmentalists are raising a stink about changes to the state's waste management board, which governs California's garbage collection and recycling system.
Michael Paparian, a veteran Sierra Club leader in Sacramento, is out.
Reportedly in is Scott Harvey, a one-time San Diego city councilman and former executive director of the San Diego County Disposal Association, a lobbying and education group funded by the region's trash haulers.
"These decisions really tilted the balance of the board toward the industry and away from the environment," said Bill Magavern, legislative representative for the California Sierra Club in Sacramento.
The Sierra Club yesterday issued a media release criticizing Harvey's selection to the California Integrated Waste Management Board. Magavern said he'd confirmed the appointment with sources in the Legislature.
The governor's office and the board's media office said no official announcement had been made. There are two vacancies on the board, which regulates waste haulers statewide.
Harvey has been an adviser to the board's chairwoman, Rosario Marin, since June. He said yesterday that he has not received official confirmation of his appointment but was hopeful he would be chosen. The post pays about $117,000 a year.
"Judge me on my record," said Harvey, who says he concentrates on consensus building and policy development. "Don't prejudge me before the governor even makes up his mind."
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger raised the ire of environmentalists when he didn't reappoint Paparian, who had served on the board as the environmental representative since 2000 and had solid support among conservation groups. His term ended this week.
Paparian said he sought another term and was given no specific reason for being denied. "It's the kind of thing that goes with the territory," he said.
Paparian said the six-member board found a good balance during his tenure, but he declined to speculate about its future direction.
"I think overall it was an environmentally inclined agency," he said.
The Sierra Club's Magavern said he knew of no other applicants who challenged Paparian for the seat. He questioned who would come forward now that Schwarzenegger intends to eliminate the board as part of his plan to streamline state government. That proposal is being reworked.
If chosen, Harvey would fill a seat for a representative of the public. There's already an industry representative, Rosalie Mulé, a former official with Waste Management of the Inland Empire.
"The decision to appoint a former waste industry lobbyist to a 'public' seat while leaving empty the only environmental seat on the board is biased, illogical and inconsistent," said a Sierra Club statement.
Harvey was appointed to fill out a City Council term in the mid-1990s. He went on to a build his own public relations firm in San Diego and Sacramento. His clients have included several government agencies along with the group of waste haulers.
Harvey said his experience gives him a good feel for trash issues that affect the general public. The waste board, for instance, is in charge of implementing California's mandate that cities recycle 50 percent of their waste.
"I want people to see me as a problem solver," said Harvey, who last lived in San Diego in 1999.
He has at least one fan in the San Diego garbage industry. Steve South, chief operating officer at EDCO, one of the region's biggest garbage and recycling companies, said Harvey is a uniter.
"The biggest asset that Scott brings to the table is his ability to develop good public policy," South said.
Governor's decisions raise Sierra Club's ire
in that case whatever it is, I like it.
BOO HOO...
Arnold continues to tick off the right people, including a gang of new posters on FR.
I don't care for some of Arnolds social views or gun control stances, but I sure like his action and direction on the economy and general reform issues.
I'm glad we have him.
If the Sierra Club's against it, he must be doing something RIGHT.
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