Howard Considered for Coast Panel

Burbank City Councilwoman Mary Lou Howard is being considered by county supervisors to be one of their nominees to the state Coastal Commission.

Howard appeared before Los Angeles County supervisors Tuesday after being proposed by Chairman Mike Antonovich. Supervisors delayed their decision until next week, when Supervisor Deane Dana, who was absent, is expected to return.

If she is approved, the supervisors will submit Howard’s name to the Senate Rules Committee, which will make the selection from among six candidates.

The appointee will replace Baldwin Park City Councilman Leo King, whose term expired in January. King was the first person from a landlocked city to serve on the 12-member commission.

Supervisor Pete Schabarum read from a list of qualifications from Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles), who chairs the Rules Committee, which stated that a commission member should be an avowed environmentalist.

Schabarum asked Howard if she is an avowed environmentalist. She replied that she is concerned about environmental affairs but is not an avowed environmentalist.

Also being considered by the Senate Rules Committee are Huntington Beach Councilman Peter M. Green, Redondo Beach Councilman Ron Cawdrey, Redondo Beach Mayor Barbara Doerr, Cypress City Councilman John Kanel and Newport Beach Councilwoman Ruthelyn Plummer.