Don’t Defang City Ethics Panel : Riordan is facing key decision regarding new commission head

Anyone aware of the movement to bring ethical oversight to city government five years ago may well remember the voters’ clear intention to create a nonpartisan, fiercely independent body that would seek a strong measure of propriety for Los Angeles City Hall.

Mayor Richard Riordan has an obligation to keep this important objective in mind as he sets about the task of selecting a new Ethics Commission head to replace outgoing President Dennis Curtis, whose term expires July 1. Certainly any attempt to roll back that plainly defined mandate--by picking a new commission head perceived as a lap dog and not a watchdog--would rightly be interpreted as a frontal assault on the will of Los Angeles voters.

It’s well known that the mayor and others have heard plenty of complaints from those who think the commission lacks tact. But this agency is not in business to be loved. Rather, from the start it has been in business to restore confidence and integrity in city government.

Keeping that thankless task in mind, no one can reasonably dispute the commission’s successful efforts to shed light in the dark and dubious corners of local government.

Indeed, under the straightforward, honest leadership of Curtis, the Ethics Commission has made considerable headway. There is now vigorous and effective enforcement of the city’s campaign finance laws, tough rules requiring employees to disclose their finances and the gifts they receive, a lobbying ordinance giving a clearer view of the relationships between lobbyists and the city officials they try to influence, and a matching funds program that has made for more competitive city elections and helped keep the lid on spiraling campaign spending.

Like any new governmental body, the commission has been on a learning curve. That notwithstanding, the occasional confrontations or awkwardness must not be used as an excuse to defang the commission.

On the contrary, what’s needed are aggressive, independent commissioners. And like it or not, Mr. Mayor, that starts with the soon-to-be-filled commission presidency.