Measures Is Finalist for Coastal Panel

Ventura City Councilwoman Rosa Lee Measures is one of two finalists for a position on the California Coastal Commission, which is responsible for regulating development along the state’s coastline, officials said Thursday.

Measures and Santa Barbara County Supervisor Timothy Staffel were interviewed in Sacramento for the post of regional representative on March 8, said Julia Justus, a spokeswoman for Gov. Pete Wilson.

No other interviews are scheduled, and Wilson plans to announce an appointment to the commission the week of April 3, Justus said.

Measures, 57, emerged as a leading Ventura County candidate early on after receiving a number of endorsements from prominent Republicans, such as Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) and former Rep. Robert J. Lagomarsino.

Measures, a former banker, pledged that she would bring to the commission a philosophy that gives equal consideration to “environmental quality and economic opportunity.”

Staffel could not be reached for comment Thursday. But he has said that Santa Barbara County should be given special consideration because it has not had a representative on the commission for years.

Wilson is seeking to fill a vacancy left by former Port Hueneme Councilman Dorill Wright, who held a seat on the 12-member Coastal Commission for 16 years.

The regional representative serves a two-year term and represents the counties of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Commissioners meet once a month and are paid a $50 per diem as well as expenses.

In addition to Measures, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors had nominated Port Hueneme Mayor Toni Young and Moorpark Mayor Paul Lawrason.