BREA : 2 on Council Berated by Sports Officials

Officials of several youth and sports organizations in the city castigated two members of the City Council this week for saying the president of the local Little League had an apparent conflict of interest that caused them to oppose his appointment to the Parks, Recreation and Human Services Commission.

“We not only find this question absurd, but are deeply concerned that two seats in the council are not supportive of furthering the development of the youth of our city,” said Mike Becher, treasurer of Brea Little League.

Becher was joined by other local sports officials who criticized Glenn G. Parker and Bev Perry at the Tuesday City Council meeting.

Parker and Perry a month ago had voted against the appointment of Chris G. Terrance Jr. to the parks panel. Terrance is president of the Brea Little League.

Terrance, a member of the commission when he ran for the City Council in November, was reappointed with votes from Mayor Burnie Dunlap and council members Carrey J. Nelson and Kathryn Wiser.

The commission advises the council on matters relating to parks, recreational and sports programs in the city. Each council member appoints one person to the five-member panel; the appointment must be ratified by the council.

Parker and Perry, considered allies on the council, said they do not question Terrance’s qualification but wanted to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.

“I did not single out Mr. Terrance,” Parker said, noting he has used the potential conflict-of-interest test on all his appointees to various panels.

Perry, who served with Terrance on the parks panel before she was elected to the council in November, said raising the issues was a “difficult personal decision.”

“Chris is a fine commissioner and a fine person,” Perry said. “But it was a principle I applied to all my appointments.”

Terrance said he was surprised by their opposition.

“I don’t think there is a conflict. I’m not paid as Brea Little League president,” he said. “My interest is to work with young people. I don’t apologize for that.”