Local News in Brief : Schabarum Looks for New RTD Appointee
After a series of conflicts over key transportation issues, Los Angeles County Supervisor Pete Schabarum is looking for a replacement for his appointee to the RTD board, Erwin Jones.
Jones, the retired superintendent of the Covina-Valley Unified School District, said he stepped down as of Thursday from the Southern California Rapid Transit District board after a confrontation with Schabarum last week.
“My vote, as Pete’s appointee, has been a source of embarrassment to him,” Jones said Thursday. “I told him if he wanted a stooge, he should have had one. . . . I will study issues and vote my conscience (for what) I think is in the best interests of the RTD and the transportation needs of Los Angeles County.”
Judy Hammond, a Schabarum spokeswoman, could not immediately confirm Jones had been removed. But she said the supervisor had been “very upset” with Jones for failing to vote to transfer RTD routes to a proposed privately operated bus system in the San Gabriel Valley. The pioneering “transportation zone” had been a pet project of Schabarum’s.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
