Ex-Airport Commissioner Park-Steel Gets County Post

The former Los Angeles airport commissioner who quit her job two months ago when her views on affirmative action came under fire was appointed by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to the county’s Commission for Children and Families.

Michelle E. Park-Steel of Tarzana was nominated for the post by Supervisor Mike Antonovich and approved by the board on a 4-0 vote without discussion. Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky was absent.

During a phone interview, Park-Steel admitted that she had little knowledge about the responsibilities of the commission, and said she expected her nomination to generate at least some controversy.

“I was surprised that no one said anything,” she said. “Actually, they don’t know me, but I think they know I did a good job for the city.”

A spokesman for Supervisor Gloria Molina said because the commission serves only in an advisory function, Park-Steel’s affirmative action views would probably not become an issue during her two-year term.

“It caught us by surprise, but since it’s only an advisory board, we’re in a different position than the city was,” said Molina spokesman Michael Bustamante.

Park-Steel, 40, served on the city’s fire and airport commissions, appointed to both posts by Mayor Richard Riordan.

In September, she resigned from the Airport Commission after several City Council members questioned her views on affirmative action.

Though Park-Steel told council members she supported the city’s affirmative action programs, her support among lawmakers was undercut when a spokesman for a proposed anti-affirmative action ballot measure claimed that Park-Steel had endorsed the measure.

It was also revealed that her husband, attorney Shawn Steel, who is the treasurer of the California Republican Party, has also raised funds for the proposed ballot measure, called the California Civil Rights Initiative, which seeks to roll back many affirmative action programs in the state.

Park-Steel said the spokesman who said she endorsed the initiative overstated her involvement with the proposed measure. She has declined to say whether she supports the initiative.

After her resignation, Park-Steel said, Antonovich--who is one of the initiative’s staunchest supporters--asked if she was interested in a spot on the 15-member Commission for Children and Families.

The group is charged with reviewing county programs for at-risk children and reports to the Board of Supervisors regarding the county’s delivery of children’s services.

“It was a surprise that Mike appointed me,” she said. “He sent me a letter saying I would be a good candidate. I’m very excited.”

Park-Steel said she has served on several groups for children and has two children of her own.

“I’ve known her for a number of years and she will help bring important diversity and experience to the commission,” Antonovich said.

She will earn $25 for each commission meeting, with a maximum of 24 meetings each year. She will join Nancy Daly, companion of Mayor Richard Riordan, who is serving her second term on the commission.