Gold, Perkins Named to Prop O Oversight Board: Measure designed to clean up area water

Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn has appointed Heal the Bay Executive Director Mark Gold and Craig Perkins, Director of the City of Santa Monica’s Environmental and Public Works, to the Proposition “O” Citizens Oversight Advisory Committee.  In addition to Perkins and Gold, who has led the Santa Monica-based non-profit environmental organization since 1994, Hahn named Pacific American Volunteer Association (PAVA) founder Tiger Kang and MTV Environmental Consulting founder Teresa Villegas to the group. The balance of the nine-member Prop “O” committee, which was created to ensure the $500 million voter-approved  bond measure, is spent specifically on cleaning up Los Angeles City storm water, rivers, and beaches, was selected by City Council President Alex Padilla, and includes Cecelia V. Estolano, former  California Coastal Commissioner,  Jose Sigala, board president of Friends of the Los Angeles River,  Mary Nichols, former California Secretary of Resources,  Cynthia McClain-Hill, also a former California Coastal Commissioner  and Francine Diamond, chair of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. “By selecting this group of environmental leaders, Padilla and Mayor Hahn are demonstrating their commitment to clean water,” said Gold. “I strongly believe in the improvements this bond money can accomplish and am excited to work with a group of people known for their successful efforts in environmental protection.” Prop “O” was passed by Los Angeles City voters in the Nov. 2, 2004 election. It called for the creation of an oversight committee to monitor the bond’s programs, projects, budgets and schedules and to advise and report its status to the mayor and Los Angeles City Council. The proposition stipulates that one committee member be recommended by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The other members were chosen on the basis of  their expertise with clean water issues and knowledge of the community.For 20 years, Heal the Bay has been dedicated to making  Southern California waters cleaner, safer and healthier for people and marine life. One of the largest non-profit environmental organizations in Los Angeles County, it has over 10,000 members.