Local News in Brief : Ex-Mecham Aide Hired

A top legislative aide to former Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham has been named director of development for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

In the new position, Donna Carlson will be in charge of the chamber’s participation in the Hollywood redevelopment program and its entertainment industry-related events, and will work as an ombudsman and try to generate membership.

Carlson was the legislative liaison for Mecham but resigned before the Republican governor was forced from office. She said she received a death threat for her willingness to testify before a grand jury investigating Mecham. Mecham’s handling of the investigation into the threat formed the basis of one count of his impeachment and removal from office.

Carlson, who served for eight years as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, moved to California in 1984 to set up a branch office for an Arizona company that manufactures road equipment.

She returned to Arizona two years later to become executive director of a Phoenix trade association, then returned to public service to work for Mecham.