Roberti Pressed on AQMD Member : Environmentalists Seek to Prevent Replacement of Activist

Representatives of nine environmental groups stepped up pressure Thursday on Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti not to replace Sabrina Schiller as the Senate Rules Committee’s appointee to the South Coast Air Quality Management District board.

The call came in response to a drive by Sen. Ruben S. Ayala (D-Chino) to oust the outspoken Schiller because she criticized the voting records of other air board members, including locally elected officials in his Senate district.

Schiller, a Santa Monica activist with the Coalition for Clean Air, has also come under fire from other environmentalists, including some representatives of the Sierra Club, who have privately told lawmakers that while her commitment to clean air is unquestioned, her tactics have alienated supporters and lost votes for the clean-air cause.

Schiller was stung by the criticism, and on Thursday, several environmentalists rallied to her defense at a Los Angeles City Hall press conference.

“Toxic victims need a strong advocate like Schiller who will not be intimidated,” said Patty Prickett of Citizens for Safe Drinking Water. “Replacing her would send a clear message to the public that the AQMD board is merely another paper organization whose purpose is to massage the egos and further the careers of politicians who are insensitive and unresponsive to the needs of their constituencies.”

Phyllis Rabins of Homeowners to Eliminate Landfill Problems in Monterey Park, said that she was “outraged” by Ayala’s efforts and called Schiller “one of the most vocal environmentalists fighting for our rights for clean air.”

Only three of 10 people scheduled to make statements were present at the press conference, reportedly because of illness--as was the case with Los Angeles City Councilman Marvin Braude--or scheduling conflicts. Their prepared statements, not all of which explicitly supported Schiller’s retention, were either read by others or handed out.

A statement was issued on behalf of Dorothy Green, president of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, who was absent. However, it did not back Schiller’s retention. Green said later that her board had not had a chance to meet and thus had no position on the Schiller “controversy.”

Other groups issuing statements included the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club, Clean Air Now of Riverside, Pasadena Lung Assn., Citizens for a Better Environment, the Coalition for Clean Air, Group Against Smog Pollution of San Bernardino and the Harbor Coalition Against Toxic Waste of Long Beach.

Schiller was not present, explaining later that she had been advised by the Rules Committee staff to stay away. Schiller said that had been her intention. However, she added, “Frankly, I’m happy it was organized.”

“I’m walking a very delicate line here. I don’t want people to get angry with me,” she said.

Schiller said she hopes to meet with Roberti and other members of the Rules Committee Tuesday.

A Senate source said the press conference, as well as a letter-writing campaign on Schiller’s behalf, had placed Roberti, who is chairman of the Rules Committee, “in a very difficult position.”

On one hand, he must deal with Ayala, a Senate colleague, who wants her replaced. On the other hand, Roberti is confronted by environmentalists--a constituency he has courted--who apparently are not unanimous on whether Schiller should be retained.

Some environmentalists are privately backing the appointment of Jane Hall, chairwoman of the economics department at California State University, Fullerton, and a director of the Planning and Conservation League.

Ayala on Thursday repeated his complaints against Schiller.

“The problem is her, not her work of trying to maintain a clean atmosphere,” Ayala said. “I’m for that, and I don’t know of anyone who lives in my area who isn’t. But, we don’t need someone going around who is overly abrasive to make the point.”