No conflict for Cowan

S.J. Cahn

COSTA MESA -- Mayor Libby Cowan has no conflict of interest when it

comes to the proposed El Toro airport, a state commission has ruled.

Cowan asked for the clarification of her role in late September amid

growing public pressure from supporters of an airport at the closed

Marine base. They questioned whether Cowan could remain fair when voting

on airport issues because she works for Irvine, one of the cities most

staunchly opposed to the planned airport.

“I’m not surprised at all,” Cowan said Wednesday, two days after the

city received the ruling from the Fair Political Practices Commission. “I

didn’t think I had a conflict of interest.”

In its ruling, the commission determined that Cowan’s simple

employment by Irvine -- she is a superintendent in the community services

department -- does not fall within state law concerning conflicts of

interest.

The state’s Political Reform Act specifically exempts salaries

received from a local government from the conflict-of-interest

regulations.

Cowan emphasized that her duties in Irvine have nothing to do with El

Toro and that she supports construction of an airport at the closed base.

She added that the airport issue is not a passion for her and she will

let others on the council lead the city’s efforts.

Both Councilmen Chris Steel and Gary Monahan have been at the

forefront of the city’s pro-airport efforts.

Monahan said it is good for Cowan and the council that she cleared the

matter up legally, but added that Cowan also needs to rein in the

perception that she has a conflict.

“I think Libby’s done a really good job leading the council on El

Toro,” Monahan said, adding that she could do more as the council’s

leader. “It’s an important issue for the city, and the mayor needs to be

upfront on it.”

In its decision, the fair practices commission also pointed out that

it is only answering questions of Cowan’s employment with Irvine and that

other potential conflicts the mayor might have would need to be looked

into separately.

* S.J. CAHN is the senior city editor. He can be reached at (949)

574-4233 or by e-mail at o7 steven.cahn@latimes.comf7 .