Eastwood, governor's in-law off parks board

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/19/8 | Peter Fimrite

[SmithL]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proved this week that nobody is safe when it comes to government appointments - not even relatives or fellow movie stars.

The governor refused to reappoint his brother-in-law Bobby Shriver and fellow acting icon Clint Eastwood to the State Park and Recreation Commission, where both had served for several years.

The move stunned park advocates and other members of the commission, who said the two men were outspoken champions of the beleaguered state parks system and had disagreed with Schwarzenegger on a project he had championed.

A spokesman for Schwarzenegger said Eastwood and Shriver weren't reappointed because their terms had expired and there was nothing unusual about the decision.

"The governor is grateful for their service to California," press secretary Aaron McLear said. "He thinks they did a great job, both of them."

But more than a few park advocates were skeptical. Shriver was the commission chairman and Eastwood was the vice chairman and they had both recently opposed the governor's plan to build a toll road between Orange County and San Diego that would have cut through San Onofre State Beach.

"The governor has been pressuring various commissions ... to vote the way he wants," said state parks commissioner Caryl Hart. "Now we have this refusal to renew. Everyone who is on a commission is going to say, 'Wow, if I want to continue to serve, I better follow the party line.' "

Eastwood, Shriver and their fellow commissioners unanimously opposed the toll road, joining a lawsuit against the toll road authority alleging California Environmental Quality Act violations. They also sent a letter outlining their opposition to the California Coastal Commission.

[mikeus_maximus]

So they get booted for opposing Arnie’s attempt to get a highway named after himself.

Typical.

[ZULU]

I think Eastwood is a conservative Republican. Maybe more to this than meets the eye.

The GUBERNATOR, I understand, signed some bill that bans the use of lead bullets in California for hunting? He also signed one that requires serial numbers on handgun ammo and they are planning on expanding this to all ammo.

Thank God you have to be a native born American to be President or the Gubernator would be aiming at the White House and Morticia Kennedy might wind up in the Presidential Bedroom.

[Theodore R.]

Actually, I don’t think Clint is a conservative at all, but correct me if I am in error.

[ridesthemiles]

Where does Bobby Schriver live that he is deserving of being on a CALIFORNIA parks board?

I would have to think that there would be enough people who actually live in CALIFORNIA that they needn’t be paying taxpayer money to someone from Massachusetts or somewhere on the east coast to make decisions for residents they have no connection with.

[OrangeDaisy]

I've never met Clint, but we share common ancestors. He is my 8th cousin. He has traditionally voted Republican but believes the party has strayed from its roots. See his interview with Neil Cavuto at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,329947,00.html .

[RDTF]

yes, he is