Mercer Named to College Panel

Tarzana activist Georgia Mercer was named to the Los Angeles Community College District board Wednesday night, becoming the only San Fernando Valley resident on the panel.

Mercer was chosen by the trustees from about 30 applicants who presented their qualifications to the board.

Mercer, a former teacher who is active in education, health and juvenile justice issues, was Mayor Richard Riordan’s representative to the West Valley at the beginning of his first term. She ran unsuccessfully for the Los Angeles City Council last year, losing to Cindy Miscikowski in a runoff.

Mercer had letters of support from County Supervisor Gloria Molina, Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) and City Councilwomen Laura Chick and Jackie Goldberg.

The 4-1 vote for Mercer followed an impassioned and tearful plea from Althea Baker, who argued that an African American should be chosen to fill the unexpired term of the late Kenneth Washington, who was black and lived in South-Central Los Angeles.

“This is a political move to disenfranchise in one fell swoop the African American community,” said Baker, who is also black.

Noting that the board is elected at large, not by district, Baker said there was no reason to pick someone from the San Fernando Valley--home to three of the district’s nine colleges--because all board members are pledged to represent the whole district.

Board President Elizabeth Garfield and trustees Kelly Candaele, Julia Wu and David Lopez-Lee voted for Mercer. Trustee Gloria Romero abstained because she favored calling a special election to fill the seat.

The other trustees rejected that because of the district’s precarious financial situation.

Baker’s choice was Jules S. Bagneris III, an African American and the pastor of Walker Temple AME Church. Bagneris had letters of endorsement from County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, City Atty. James Hahn and Los Angeles City Councilman Nate Holden.

“I really am outraged that the board would make a decision to trample on the representation of the black community as they did,” Bagneris said. “It shows a total disregard for the legacy of Dr. Kenneth Washington.”

Mercer said she was sorry about the divisiveness. After Mercer won, Baker moved to elect her unanimously.