Hahn Releases Appointments Calendar
Following the lead of his mayoral opponent and all but one elected official in the city and county of Los Angeles, Mayor James K. Hahn on Friday afternoon released the calendar of his activities since he took office.
The mayor's decision came less than 3 1/2 weeks before he faces reelection May 17 against Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, who on the campaign trail has repeatedly criticized Hahn's refusal to release the records. Earlier this week, a Villaraigosa supporter also threatened to sue Hahn to acquire the calendar.
The Times first requested the mayor's schedule more than 4 1/2 months ago under the state's Public Records Act.
With Hahn's announcement, county Supervisor Don Knabe is the only elected official in the county and city of Los Angeles who has not made his calendar public.
Knabe's office has not responded directly to inquiries from The Times, although in January the county counsel denied the request, citing exceptions to the Public Records Act.
The four other county supervisors, as well as Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley, Sheriff Lee Baca and county Assessor Rick Auerbach, have agreed to release their schedules.
So too have all 15 Los Angeles City Council members, City Controller Laura Chick and City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo.
Cooley said he "didn't think twice" about releasing his calendar. "I do work for the public. They gave me this job, and I think they have a right to know how I am discharging my duties."
Villaraigosa, who led Hahn by 18 points in the most recent Times poll, released his schedule earlier this month within weeks of being asked.
The mayor's office had said Hahn would not release his calendar out of concern that details of his activities could jeopardize his safety and that of his family.
None of the elected county and city law enforcement officials cited that issue, noting that any sensitive information could be easily edited.
Hahn spokeswoman Shannon Murphy said Friday that the mayor's office chose to eliminate the times he leaves and returns home. Murphy said the mayor did not decide to take that step until City Council members asked the city attorney whether to comply with requests from The Times to release their schedules.
On April 12, the city attorney advised them in a letter that it was up to each council member.
Villaraigosa campaign manager Ace Smith criticized the mayor's belated decision.
