Shepherd
02-11-2016, 01:59 AM
Following are links to two newspaper articles on the Coastal Commission and one TV program and a copy of the LA Times story. In a closed session vote 7-5, the CC fired Lester last night after the Morro Bay hearing with over 1,000 in attendance and 26,000 letters and emails in his support. This is a major set-back for the environmental protection of our coast, which is threatened by development.
https://www.ocregister.com/articles/commission-703695-california-fire.htm
(Orange County Register)
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2016/02/10/californias-coastal-commission-holding-vote-on-fate-of-its-chief-executive/
https://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-85864354/, Los Angeles Times
Coastal Commission fires executive director over objection of hundreds of supporters
TONY BARBOZA, Dan Weikel, February 10, 2016, 9:30 p.m.
For the first time in its 44-year history, the California Coastal Commission on Wednesday fired its executive director -- a decision made despite an overwhelming show of public support for the land use agency's top official.
The panel disclosed that it voted 7 to 5 in a private session to dismiss Charles Lester. Commissioners offered no public explanation.
After announcing the vote, the panel gave Lester a few moments to speak and adjourned.
"I'm disappointed in the vote," Lester said. "It's been a privilege to serve the commission for the past 4 years. If there is a silver lining, I've been energized by all the people who came together on this."
Commissioners took the action in closed session because they said they were bound by law to honor Lester's right to privacy.
But their reasoning did not align with advice from the agency's chief counsel, who told the panel that they were free to discuss any current issues involving Lester's performance because he had chosen a public hearing to defend himself.
Before moving into closed session, commissioners did openly discuss some general criticisms of Lester. And several were critical of media reports, fueled by coastal activists and environmental groups, that attributed the move to fire Lester to a desire for more development of the coast.
Continue reading here: https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-coastal-commission-20160211-story.html
https://www.ocregister.com/articles/commission-703695-california-fire.htm
(Orange County Register)
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2016/02/10/californias-coastal-commission-holding-vote-on-fate-of-its-chief-executive/
https://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-85864354/, Los Angeles Times
Coastal Commission fires executive director over objection of hundreds of supporters
TONY BARBOZA, Dan Weikel, February 10, 2016, 9:30 p.m.
For the first time in its 44-year history, the California Coastal Commission on Wednesday fired its executive director -- a decision made despite an overwhelming show of public support for the land use agency's top official.
The panel disclosed that it voted 7 to 5 in a private session to dismiss Charles Lester. Commissioners offered no public explanation.
After announcing the vote, the panel gave Lester a few moments to speak and adjourned.
"I'm disappointed in the vote," Lester said. "It's been a privilege to serve the commission for the past 4 years. If there is a silver lining, I've been energized by all the people who came together on this."
Commissioners took the action in closed session because they said they were bound by law to honor Lester's right to privacy.
But their reasoning did not align with advice from the agency's chief counsel, who told the panel that they were free to discuss any current issues involving Lester's performance because he had chosen a public hearing to defend himself.
Before moving into closed session, commissioners did openly discuss some general criticisms of Lester. And several were critical of media reports, fueled by coastal activists and environmental groups, that attributed the move to fire Lester to a desire for more development of the coast.
Continue reading here: https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-coastal-commission-20160211-story.html