Conflict, Not Interest Greets Parks’ Request

City officials are bound by state laws governing conflicts of interest, and that is the way it will stay, according to council members who rejected Councilwoman Linda Parks’ call for enacting a city conflict of interest code.

Parks brought up the matter after alleging that two city planning commissioners ought to abstain from voting on some issues involving business clients. The council voted 3 to 2 late Tuesday to reject the proposal, noting that state Fair Political Practices Commission laws already apply locally.

“I think this is a witch hunt,” Councilman Michael Markey said of Parks’ proposal.

Parks said she acted after learning that Planning Commissioner Forrest Frields would be voting on a development project involving Moshe Silagi, the landlord of a 100 N. Rancho Road building in which Frields rented space for nine years for his portrait photography business.

Frields said he relocated his business last month and accused Parks of launching a smear campaign.

“Had the self-appointed city moralist, Linda Parks, bothered to inquire into the circumstances of this . . . before slinging mud, she would have discovered that I am no longer a tenant,” he said.

Looking directly at Parks, Frields added, “Do your homework!”

Frields accused Parks of seeking revenge because the Planning Commission last year “broke tradition” and elected him chairman. Parks, who was vice chairwoman at the time, denied that, saying she only wants commissioners and committee members to maintain high ethical standards.

She also questioned whether Commissioner Ronald Polanski, a local stockbroker, should vote on issues involving his clients. Polanski has stated that he will abstain from voting when a perceived conflict exists.

Parks began the hearing by saying she hoped for unanimous support. It quickly became apparent that would not be the case.

“I see this as charged with hypocrisy on a [large] scope,” said Mayor Judy Lazar.

Elois Zeanah was Parks’ only supporter.