Transparency for L.A. Commissioners

Re “Los Angeles’ Sins of Commission,” by Steven Erie, Opinion, Feb. 15: Among the nearly 100 commissioners who have served on the Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission in the 38 years I have been on the commission, I know of fewer than five who have been serious fundraisers, and that was before they became commissioners. Our commission has awarded no big, lucrative contracts, so service on the HRC has no “pay to play” potential.

However, restrictions on our commissioners would discourage many of us from serving. For example: Am I allowed to attend a fundraiser for a candidate? May my name appear on the letterhead for a fundraiser? May I speak in public in support of a candidate? May I have a bumper sticker on my car or a sign on my lawn? May I go door-to-door to distribute literature? May I contribute any sum of money (or in kind services) -- no matter how small -- to a political candidate? Am I restricted from the mayor’s or City Council members’ campaigns? What about other candidates -- board of education members, statewide officers, congressional members, presidential candidates?

In other words, how do you define the criteria to make commissioners “clean”? I prefer “transparency” criteria, requiring exposure of contributions to political candidates. My $15 contribution has no impact. My $100,000 contribution is a legitimate concern.

We need criteria that eliminate corruption and support appropriate recusal but do not discourage public service.

Warren Steinberg

Los Angeles