Post by Logan on Jan 21, 2016 1:50:25 GMT -6
California Coastal Commission members to consider firing executive director
Members of the California Coastal Commission are moving to fire its executive director, touching off a fierce debate over the commission's recent shift in favor of more development along the state's 1,000-mile shore.
The decision to consider firing Charles Lester was made at the commission's December meeting in Monterey, where the panel met in closed session for a "periodic performance review" of the executive director.
Lester was notified in a Jan. 14 letter that the panel "will consider whether to dismiss you" and gave him a choice of stepping aside and aiding in a transition or opting for a public hearing on his future. He chose the hearing, which ensures that the development tug of war will become the subject of public debate at a meeting scheduled for Feb. 10 in Morro Bay.
The move to oust Lester, a low-key but conservation-minded attorney who has headed the agency since 2011, is being led by pro-development members of the panel, including Gov. Jerry Brown's four appointees, said people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Continue reading at www.latimes.com/science/la-me-coastal-commission-20160121-story.html .
Members of the California Coastal Commission are moving to fire its executive director, touching off a fierce debate over the commission's recent shift in favor of more development along the state's 1,000-mile shore.
The decision to consider firing Charles Lester was made at the commission's December meeting in Monterey, where the panel met in closed session for a "periodic performance review" of the executive director.
Lester was notified in a Jan. 14 letter that the panel "will consider whether to dismiss you" and gave him a choice of stepping aside and aiding in a transition or opting for a public hearing on his future. He chose the hearing, which ensures that the development tug of war will become the subject of public debate at a meeting scheduled for Feb. 10 in Morro Bay.
The move to oust Lester, a low-key but conservation-minded attorney who has headed the agency since 2011, is being led by pro-development members of the panel, including Gov. Jerry Brown's four appointees, said people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Continue reading at www.latimes.com/science/la-me-coastal-commission-20160121-story.html .