NO BUTTS ABOUT IT, CORDERO’S HARBOR COMMISSION CHAIR STILL EMPTY
By Dave Wielenga
LONG BEACH (via LBReport.com)—When Mario Cordero was appointed to the Federal Maritime Commission last spring, the consensus was that his shoes would be difficult to fill. But in actuality, it’s the place where Cordero parked his carcass—his chair on the circular dais of Harbor Commission headquarters—that’s proven problematic. And it’s empty again.
Mayor Bob Foster’s appointment of Doug Drummond to Cordero’s seat has been effectively—although almost certainly temporarily—voided because Foster ignored the California law designed to ensure broad public awareness and participation in the filling of appointed positions on government boards, commissions and committees. Rather than publicly posting the Harbor Commission vacancy in the manner prescribed by that law—the Maddy Act—Foster simply announced his appointments on July 21.
Council member Gerrie Schipske called Foster on his corner-cutting, postponing today’s meeting of the City Council’s Personnel & Civil Service Committee she chairs until the state law’s procedures are fully met. The committee, also composed of Council members Dee Andrews and Suja Lowenthal, votes on the Mayor’s nominations before they reach the full Council.
Technically, this means that the opportunity to sit in Cordero’s chair is alive for everyone again. Applications are being accepted, although the mayor is not required to choose from among them. Former Vice Mayor/Councilman Drummond’s butt remains the overwhelming favorite.
2 Comments
Good for you Councilwoman Schipske. At least we have one person on City Council who does not think they are ABOVE THE LAW.
Blob totally lost me when he appointed the wife of the industries attorney as a commissioner. It bugs me that the whole world has so many laughs at our expense.