Mayor Names Sherman Oaks Man to City Transit Panel

Mayor Richard Riordan announced more appointments to various city commissions and boards last week, including a Transportation Commission member from the San Fernando Valley.

For the Transportation Commission, Riordan selected John D. Shallman, a former campaign aide from Sherman Oaks; Ryan Snyder, an expert on transportation planning, and Sherri Franklin, a former member of the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Shallman, 29, is a self-employed management consultant and community activist who served as Riordan’s deputy campaign manager, and campaign manager for primary mayoral candidate Stan Sanders. According to Riordan’s staff, the University of Iowa graduate will be “one of the youngest transportation commissioners in city history.”

Riordan also appointed Charles E. Dickerson as his first nominee to the Board of Public Works, the city’s only full-time politically appointed board. Dickerson, chief of staff to City Councilwoman Rita Walters, will earn $74,100 a year in the full-time post.

As one of five commissioners, Dickerson will help run the city’s construction programs, recycling, trash collection and street maintenance operations and sewage treatment plants, the mayor’s office said.

Riordan also appointed ex-Social Services Commissioner Nancy Zamora to the civil service panel, which rules on employee disciplinary proceedings.

James Silcott, an architect employed with the county, and attorney Peter Weil, a former rent adjustment commissioner, were nominated for the Board of Zoning Appeals, which reviews zoning administration decisions.