Mayors Unable to Agree on AQMD Representative : Politics: At monthly meeting, city leaders remain divided on whether to reelect or oust Henry W. Wedaa, who has been criticized for his strong regulatory stances.

Orange County mayors remained divided Thursday on whether to reelect or oust Henry W. Wedaa from his powerful post as the county’s representative to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Wedaa, who has been on the AQMD board for six years, has come under fire recently for his strong regulatory stances protecting the Southland’s air quality.

Although supporters praise his willingness to push businesses to stop polluting, others--particularly conservatives in the county--complain he is overzealous and takes positions that are detrimental to business.

At their monthly California League of Cities meeting Thursday, the mayors were unable to agree on whether Wedaa should be retained or replaced at AQMD. To be on the AQMD board, Wedaa or some other candidate must receive votes from two-thirds of the county’s mayors representing two-thirds of the county’s population.

Wedaa, a Yorba Linda councilman who is chairman of the AQMD board, received 15 of 29 votes on the second and final ballot. Five votes went to Costa Mesa Councilman Peter F. Buffa. Two other candidates on the first ballot, Buena Park Councilman Arthur C. Brown and Mission Viejo Councilman William S. Craycraft, were eliminated in the second round of voting.

Under a new state law, the mayors must come up with enough votes to either reelect or replace Wedaa by March 1. If they don’t, they face not having an Orange County representative on the AQMD board. Previously, a board member could retain that position indefinitely if no other candidate received support from two-thirds of the county’s mayors.

Wedaa, a moderate Republican, has attributed the efforts to remove him not to his stand on air quality issues, but to a difference in ideology between him arch-conservatives in the county.

He said his role on the district board is to carry out actions ordered by the federal and state governments to improve air quality in the Southern California. Wedaa on Thursday defended his record, saying he was “a friend of businesses” in Orange County.

But others say he has gone too far and has antagonized businesses.

“He hasn’t been aggressive enough in seeking a balance between the needs of business and the environment,” Buffa said.

Even his own council voted last week to withdraw their support and be neutral.

Orange Councilman Fred L. Barrera, whose council directed him to cast a vote of “no confidence” against Wedaa, said: “He has been blinded by some things. . . . His agency has so much authority. You might not be polluting and you’ll still have to pay your fees. There needs to be a change.”

Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly agreed.

“There has been too much over-regulation of business by AQMD,” Daly said. “In recent months (Wedaa) has been able to show a quite a bit of progress (toward businesses’ concerns), but that doesn’t make up for six years.

“I don’t know if it is entirely fair to Mr. Wedaa, but he is facing the music that in some respect is of his own creation. He’s perceived to be part of the problem.”

The league is scheduled to vote on the matter again on Feb. 17.