Mayor Announces Nominees for Three Commission Posts

Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan on Friday announced his choices to serve on three of the city’s most influential policy-setting commissions, including a shift of trusted confidant and trouble-shooter Dan Garcia from the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency to the Airport Commission.

Garcia, a former lobbyist and veteran of key commission leadership posts in two mayoral Administrations, is Riordan’s choice to replace Michelle Park-Steel, who was forced out earlier this month in controversy over her affirmative action views and her statements about them with the City Council during confirmation hearings on her reappointment.

Riordan wants Glassell Park resident Mee Hae Lee to replace Garcia on the CRA. Lee is a governmental affairs manager at Warner Bros., where Garcia is a vice president.

For the Recreation and Parks Commission, Riordan has nominated Father Juan Santillan, a prominent Eastside community activist.

The pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians in Lincoln Heights, Santillan would replace Edith Perez, recently named to the Police Commission.

Several months ago, the mayor selected Garcia to head the embattled CRA during a time when some council members wanted to dissolve the Riordan-appointed board and take over directors’ duties.

Now, with the takeover threat appearing to have run out of steam and a new full-time administrator at the helm, the mayor wants Garcia’s help with the airports.

The former chairman of the Police and Planning commissions already has been appointed by Riordan to lead efforts for a master plan for Los Angeles International Airport.

The mayor’s choices for the 46 policy-setting municipal boards and commissions must be passed by a majority of the 15-member City Council.

Recently, some council members have threatened to hold up the appointments over a clash with the Administration over affirmative action. While the clash forced the resignations of Park-Steel and Civil Service Commissioner Joe Gelman, no nominee since then has been rejected by the council.