Kindel Wins OK for New Term on Public Works Board

Los Angeles Board of Public Works President Maureen Kindel, surviving criticism from newly elected Councilman Nate Holden, won reconfirmation by the City Council on Wednesday to another four-year term.

The confirmation of Kindel, an appointee of Mayor Tom Bradley, was held up last week after Holden delivered a barrage of criticism about poor street maintenance, untrimmed trees and uncut city lawns in his 10th District.

On Wednesday, Holden was the lone dissenter as the council confirmed her reappointment on an 11-1 vote. Last week, the council, while laudatory of Kindel, agreed to hold over Kindel’s confirmation at Holden’s request. He told the council Wednesday that he had since met with her to air his complaints personally.

“She listened, she has an open-door policy, and said she would get the work done,” Holden said.

He said Kindel agreed with his assessment that much work was undone in the 10th District. But despite her assurances, he said, “I have to vote on the track record. If the track record is unacceptable, I can’t vote for you.”

Other council members praised her and said it was wrong to single her out for blame.

“She’s a whipping girl . . . on this whole issue,” Councilman Gilbert Lindsay said. “We’ve got to help them resolve their problems. Give them more money.”

In another action, the council without opposition confirmed Daniel P. Garcia, president of the Planning Commission, to another four-year term.