SMC's Personnel Commission Chair Resigns in Protest

By Teresa Rochester

In an act of political protest, Santa Monica College's Personnel Commission chairman resigned hours before college trustees unanimously approved the appointment of a Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights activist for an empty slot on the commission.

William Crookston, who has served on the three-person commission for 2 ½ years, submitted his resignation on May 1, after it became clear that former city councilwoman, two-time rent control board member and SMRR activist Dolores Press likely would be appointed to fill an slot left vacant by Allen Shatkin.

"The new commissioner is a person I am totally politically opposed to," Crookston said this week. "I believe the trustees in choosing her were setting a very defined path for the personnel commission that I could not be a part of. I am totally anti-SMRR."

Crookston said he stepped down because he did not think politics should be a part of the commission that deals with employee discipline appeals. He also said it would not be fair for fellow commissioner Karen Bancroft, who is the city's personnel director, to be stuck in the middle whenever he and Press disagreed.

"Life is too short to be in a contentious situation," said Crookston, who runs the University of Southern California's entrepreneurial program.

Press, a staunch union supporter and former employee of the Retail Clerks Union, was swept onto the commission in a unanimous 8 to 0 vote by the College Board of Trustees on May 1. At that meeting Press thanked the board for the opportunity to serve.

Press did not return calls for comment.

"I'm deeply moved and very pleased," Press told the board after her appointment.

Press must still be approved for the position by the state chancellor of community colleges in Sacramento.

College President and Superintendent Dr. Piedad Robertson said Crookston will be missed.

"Santa Monica College is sad to lose Bill Crookston," Robertson said in a statement. "His service to classified employees has been exemplary. We wish him well."

The college will now have to begin a search for a new commissioner beginning with a call for applications.

Candidates are screened by the human resources department and interviewed by the trustees. They also must answer written questions. The list is then narrowed down to two candidates before the Board of Trustees makes a final decision.