Critics Say Conflicts Certain in Simpson’s Tourism Job : Government: Anaheim councilman counters that he told hotel-motel group that the city comes first.

Several community leaders expressed concern Wednesday that Councilman Bob D. Simpson’s new job as executive director of a recently formed hotel and motel association could pose so many conflicts that he would become an ineffectual lawmaker.

Allan Hughes, executive director of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, said he believes Simpson’s position with the association “would preclude him from voting on tourism issues. I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t be a conflict.”

“This job is going to take him out of the picture on more than a few things,” agreed Shirley Grindle, an activist who has helped win political ethics reforms in the county. “I think he should resign. . . . I don’t think he could serve both.”

William R. Mitchell, chairman of Orange County Common Cause, also said he thought Simpson’s new job was improper for an active councilman.

“It would seem apparent that his new position is based in large part because of his position on the City Council,” Mitchell said. “In order to alleviate any concerns the public may have, he should abstain from all votes affecting tourism that come before the council.”

Simpson, who accepted the $36,000 part-time position last week, said he believes his new position will present few if any conflicts with public business and promised that he would confer with the city attorney about what issues he can and can’t vote on.

Furthermore, Simpson said he told the 40 members of the Anaheim Area Hotel/Motel Assn. that his first obligation was to the city council. He said Wednesday he would consider resigning from the group if too many conflicts arose.

“I’m not going to abdicate my time on the council,” said Simpson, whose term expires in November.

City Atty. Jack L. White said in an interview that he saw no legal problem in Simpson’s taking the job. Conflicts would only occur if a vote directly benefits an association member either financially or materially, White said, or if he votes on an issue on which the association has a stated position.

One issue that could eventually pose a conflict is an increase in the hotel bed tax.

An increase in the tax is part of the financial framework for the proposed $3-billion Disneyland Resort, and many local motels could be expected to oppose such a tax hike. In addition, the Disneyland Hotel is a member of Simpson’s association.

Kenneth P. Wong, senior vice president of Walt Disney Co.’s development division, said he wasn’t overly concerned about Simpson’s new job. “It’s really for (the city) to work out,” he said. But Stan Pawlowski, co-chairman of Westcot 2000, a pro-Disneyland Resort group, said he would be troubled if Simpson couldn’t vote on the resort project.

“I’d certainly hate to lose his vote,” Pawlowski said. “If some reason it came to a 2-2 vote, we would be in one heck of a shape.” To date, all the votes on the Disney project have been unanimous.

Wong, however, was optimistic.

“The good news is that Bob is going to work for a very important industry in Anaheim,” Wong said. “He has been strong voice for the growth of tourism. I consider him a leading thinker.”