Posted on 06/24/2005 9:36:24 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
A Laguna Beach councilwoman once hailed as an environmental crusader was not reappointed to the California Coastal Commission this week after heavy lobbying by conservation groups that wanted a stronger advocate on the panel, officials said Thursday.
Toni Iseman was a much-lauded appointment in 2003 when she was named to the state agency that oversees development on the 1,100-mile coast.
But her support among environmentalists faded rapidly after several controversial votes. Iseman's critics pointed to her support for development at the Dana Point Headlands and Bolsa Chica wetlands as particularly disappointing.
She defended her record, saying that what she considered smart compromises were viewed by activists as votes for developers. "I loved my 2 1/2 years on the Coastal Commission," Iseman said Thursday. "I'm proud of the votes I made, and I'm sorry that Orange County no longer has a representative."
Iseman's term expired in May, and she had hoped the Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland), would reappoint her to a seat reserved for an elected official.
Appointed in her place Wednesday was Manhattan Beach Councilman Jim Aldinger.
"I'm surprised and pleased…. It's quite an honor," Aldinger said. "The coast is one of our most valuable treasures in our state."
Perata reappointed Mary K. Shallenberger to one of the commission's at-large seats reserved for a member of the public.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Answerable to no one except c'Rats and GReens.
and the CA Supreme Court says that's OK.
Go figure.
CA: Calif justices say Coastal Commission legal ^
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