Hahn Wants Deaton for DWP Post

Mayor James K. Hahn recommended Thursday that Ron Deaton, the top advisor to the Los Angeles City Council, take over as general manager of the beleaguered Department of Water and Power.

Deaton is a City Hall veteran who has a good relationship with a City Council that has harshly criticized the department for wasteful spending. If approved by the mayoral-appointed Department of Water and Power board Tuesday, Deaton would replace David Wiggs, who announced Thursday that he was resigning for health reasons.

In a letter to the board Thursday, Hahn stated that Deaton was committed to making major changes in the agency, which is facing a lawsuit over its decision to increase water rates by 11%, and investigations into contracting practices and spending on public relations contracts.

“He recognizes that LADWP needs a new management team willing to make the changes necessary to improve the reputation of this department,” Hahn wrote.

Hahn also noted that Deaton has 40 years of service with the city, starting in 1965 when he began work as a junior administrative assistant at the Department of Water and Power.

Since 1993 he has played a key role in department issues as chief legislative analyst for the City Council.

“Ron is perhaps one of the only people who can successfully bring the department into the city family,” Hahn wrote.

DWP Board President Dominick Rubalcava supports Deaton for the general manager position, said Deputy Mayor Doane Liu, who added that Hahn was optimistic the other four members also would.

Several council members said they would vote to confirm Deaton.

“The agency is troubled, and nobody knows how to get things done around here like Ron Deaton,” said Council President Alex Padilla. “Lord knows, they could use him.”

Deaton, 61, said it was clear that change was needed at the department.

“The employees do a good job of providing electricity and water, but that is presented in a way that does not convince the citizenry that they are doing a good job,” he said.

If confirmed by the City Council, Deaton would be the fourth person to head the DWP this year. Wiggs went on medical leave in February to undergo treatment for tongue cancer. DWP executive Frank Salas was named acting general manager, but Salas resigned in July after coming under fire for mishandling the water rate increase and overseeing a controversial public relations contract.

DWP executive Henry Martinez took over as acting general manager in July. Hahn proposed that Martinez return to his job overseeing the DWP’s electric generation.

In a resignation letter Thursday, Wiggs said he expected a full recovery but wanted to spend more time with his family.

Word that Deaton might leave the chief legislative analyst post sparked talk Thursday among council members that Deaton’s old job could end up going to Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, who leaves office next year because of term limits, or to former Councilman Mike Hernandez.

Padilla denied that anyone had an inside track.

Miscikowski said she was not angling for the job but would not rule it out.