Local News in Brief : Mayor Gives Up Phone
Controversy over San Gabriel Vice Mayor Frank Blaszcak’s city-bought cellular telephone has been resolved with his announcement that he has hung up the phone for good.
A public affairs officer at the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, Blaszcak purchased the $2,100 phone at city expense, prompting a hot-tempered debate among City Council members and residents.
Blaszcak explained that he could not use his office phones for non-county business and needed to stay in touch with his San Gabriel constituents. But he said that he will no longer need the cellular phone because he will leave his county job in September to start his own consulting business--from which he will be able to call constituents.
City Administrator Robert Clute said he has not decided what to do with the cellular phone. He may try to return it for a partial refund, he said, or he might give it to the Police Department to use in an emergency.
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