Local News in Brief : Top Caltrans Job May Go to Ex-Mayor Ewing

Former Yorba Linda Mayor Carolyn P. Ewing is under consideration by Gov. George Deukmejian for appointment as director of the California Department of Transportation, state and county officials said Wednesday.

Ewing, 46, a deputy Caltrans director in Sacramento, did not return calls from The Times.

But former Undersecretary of Business, Transportation and Housing Dana W. Reed and state Transportation Commission member Bruce Nestande both said that Ewing had talked to them about the post and hoped to get it.

Earlier this week, Reed was named to the county Transportation Commission.

Several state and county officials said Wednesday that Ken Khachigian of San Clemente, a Deukmejian speech writer and adviser, was strongly pushing Ewing’s bid for the job vacated by Leo J. Trombatore, who retired last year.

Khachigian could not be reached for comment. Deukmejian recently appointed Don Watson, former Caltrans District 7 director in Los Angeles, to serve as the agency’s interim director. Watson also is interested in the top spot, officials said, along with John Sullivan, the undersecretary of business, transportation and housing.

Donna Lucas, Deukmejian’s press secretary, said the governor’s office would not confirm or deny that Ewing is under consideration for the post.

Ewing is a former aide to Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder.