Council Confirms Candidate for Airport Commission

The Los Angeles City Council confirmed Leland Wong on Friday to serve on the Board of Airport Commissioners.

Wong, who was nominated by Mayor Richard Riordan, has been serving on the Harbor Commission. Wong replaces Airport Commissioner Edward P. Manning, who resigned.

Wong’s confirmation sailed through the council, but not without a word of warning from Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, a frequent critic of a proposed large expansion of Los Angeles International Airport.

But her warning was intended for the mayor, who she said should be appointing at least one commissioner who lives in the adjacent neighborhood; Manning lived in Westchester, Wong lives outside the area.

The mayor has nominated Theodore O. Stein to replace Wong on the Harbor Commission. His appointment probably won’t come before the council for several more weeks.