Keeping Hahn Under Cover

Even when we differ with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn on issues, we find his candor refreshing and his accessibility a standard for all public officials. So we are both saddened and troubled by the lack of information that the public and Hahn’s colleagues in county government are getting about the supervisor’s condition in the aftermath of a stroke that he suffered last month.

Hahn has been hospitalized since Jan. 11 at Daniel Freeman Hospital in Inglewood, in the heart of the South-Central Los Angeles district that he has represented so ably since 1952. Except for members of his family, the only person who can visit with Hahn is his chief deputy, Mas Fukai. Fukai recently told reporters that he confers with Hahn for 30 to 45 minutes each day. He said that, despite being confined to a wheelchair, the supervisor speaks clearly, is undergoing regular therapy and will be back at work “within a couple of months.” Fukai said that Hahn has also told him not to allow any pending county business to be held up because of his infirmity. Referring to three conservative members of the five-man Board of Supervisors who regularly outvote Hahn, Fukai said, “He told me, ‘Don’t hold things up; they’re going to have three votes; they’re going to vote on it anyway.”’

That does not sound like the Kenny Hahn whom we know and respect. Even when he loses a vote on the county board, Hahn goes down fighting, reminding his fellow supervisors of the needs and concerns of people in the heavily black and Latino neighborhoods that he represents. That kind of contribution to public debate is sorely missed now.

Just as worrisome is Fukai’s refusal to allow the county’s chief administrative officer, James Hankla, to meet with Hahn so that Hankla can privately report on the supervisor’s condition to other members of the board. It casts doubt on Fukai’s upbeat assessment of Hahn’s condition.

The people of the county, and especially the residents of Hahn’s 4th District, have a right to know if indeed Hahn can return to work soon. The only way that can be done without there being any doubt is for county officials and the media to have as much access to him as is medically reason-able and as soon as possible. A truly healthy Hahn would have it no other way.