Posted on 07/27/2005 7:08:07 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, signaling plans to bring change to the Port of Los Angeles, is reshaping its board of commissioners with new appointees to be named today to the five-member panel.
The new slate includes a former general manager of the Department of Water and Power, a labor leader, an environmental attorney and two other lawyers, sources said Tuesday.
The appointments come as the port, the nation's largest, is struggling with significant challenges, including a corruption probe, looming major expenses, security concerns, air pollution problems and major turnover among senior managers.
Two of the appointments — S. David Freeman, the former head of the DWP, and Jerilyn Lopez Mendoza, an environmental lawyer — led a longtime critic to predict that the board could "be one of the most environmentally sensitive port boards in the country."
After she was told about Freeman and Mendoza, Gail Ruderman Feuer, a Natural Resources Defense Council attorney, said they had "outstanding environmental track records."
"This sends a clear signal from the mayor that he plans to hold true to his commitment to protect local communities from harmful pollution that comes from the port," she said.
Sources familiar with port operations said Villaraigosa also plans to name Douglas Paul Krause, a banking lawyer; Kaylynn L. Kim, a lawyer in private practice; and Joe Radisich, president of the Southern California District Council of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
The mayor's office declined to confirm the appointments. Villaraigosa plans to make the announcement at 10 a.m. this morning at the port's Cruise Ship Promenade.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
could "be one of the most environmentally sensitive port boards in the country."
Howdy Norm!
When my dear dad passed away, the state produced a posthumous declaration/commendation document, beautiful and framed, and presented it to my mom, in honor of his achievements in his industry. It was very touching. One problem, though. The signature was Villaraigosa's. That sort of soured it for me.
Sure. That'll help. Great diversity on the board. They'll be able to bring a wide range of viewpoints to solving the port's problems.
What the importers/exporters heard: "This sends a clear signal from the mayor that he plans to hold true to his commitment to run businesses and jobs out of the communities that depend on the port for their economy."
The Port of Tijuana is looking better and better for a lot of businesses.
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