City Attorney’s Job Offered to L.A. Official

Pasadena has picked a new city attorney, but has the new city attorney picked Pasadena?

Before formally offering the job to Los Angeles Senior Assistant City Atty. Cheryl Ward, Pasadena Mayor William Paparian announced Monday that the council is ready to hire her--ostensibly putting an end to a two-year vacancy. But as of late Tuesday, Ward had not accepted the position.

“She has not gotten back to the city,” said Ann Erdman, director of communications. “We’re hoping [Ward accepts] so we can move on.”

Ward could not be reached for comment.

It may take at least a week of “putting together the details,” before Ward makes her intentions known, said consultant John Shannon, of Shannon, Davis & Associates, a Sacramento firm hired to oversee the recruitment process.

Paparian said Ward “accepted in principle” and communicated through Shannon that “she was delighted by the offer.”

Provided she takes the job, Ward’s salary--estimated at $125,000--and a start date need to be ironed out, Paparian said.

Criticizing the mayor’s announcement, Councilman Paul Little said even more should have been ironed out before Paparian made the offer public. “There are things she needs to do, like accept the position,” Little said.

Former City Atty. Victor Kaleta vacated the post in August 1995 amid accusations that he discriminated against female attorneys by failing to include them in a round of promotions. Several months later, after four female attorneys filed discrimination lawsuits against Kaleta, the city abruptly called off its search for a permanent replacement, only to resume the search again in November 1996.