Tanaka, Denny in Dust Up Over Her Conflict of Interest Accusation

Story written and reported by contributor Gloria Tierney.

Is there a conflict of interest for Mayor Casey Tanaka when school issues come before Coronado's City Council?

State law says no. The city attorney says no. Even Councilwoman Barbara Denny says no. 

But for her even the hint of a possible conflict is too much and at the city's May 21 council meeting she repeatedly took on Tanaka and City Attorney Johanna Canlas, at one point even calling for Canlas to be replaced. 

The issue arose during the city's budget discussions. Tanaka advocated hiring a police officer to serve as a school resource officer and also offered his backing when school Superintendent Jeffrey Felix asked the city for money to hire a school counselor.  

Denny called Tanaka’s support a conflict. Since he works for the district as a teacher at Coronado High School, she claimed he could not discuss or vote on any matter that affects schools in Coronado.

“No city attorney worth his salt would allow you to vote on this,” Denny said. 

When Tanaka asked Canlas for an opinion, Denny shot back:  “I can’t rely on this current city attorney. I want another one.”

Despite Denny’s rebuke Canals pressed on. 

“Conflict of interest prohibits people from using other positions to influence its decisions on matters [where they have a financial interest,]” Canlas said, citing state law on the matter. “He does not hold an office; he’s an employee.”

This interpretation of the law has the backing of the state Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). In an e-mail to Patch a FPPC spokeswoman agreed that there was no conflict of interest.

While stressing that she could not comment directly on Coronado's situation, the FPPC's Tara Stock said that “generally salary received from a government agency is not considered income and (is) therefore not an ‘economic interest’ that may cause a conflict of interest.”  

This would not be the case if the Coronado Unified School District were a private business.  

“A public official has an economic interest in a business entity for which he or she is a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or holds any position of management,” the law says.

At the council meeting Denny refused to drop the matter. She brought it up each time an issue involving the school district came up, arguing that while there may not be an actual conflict there was the appearance of one. She renewed her demands that the mayor recuse himself. 

Clearly exasperated with Denny’s interruptions, Tanaka alluded to the film A Few Good Men when he told Denny, “Your strenuous objection has been accepted,” noting in passing that she had not been recognized by the chair and had no right to speak.

The fate of the school district proposals remains to be determined. They were tabled for further discussion.