SAN FERNANDO : Godinez Denies He Ducked Hiring Talks

Calling on the city police chief for support, San Fernando City Councilman Raul Godinez denied accusations that he refused to participate in the hiring of the new city attorney earlier this month.

At a recent City Council meeting, Godinez said that a family emergency drew him out of the country for a two-week period beginning Dec. 21, during which time the city selected C. Edward Dilkes to replace former City Atty. Julia Sylva.

“I haven’t been negligent,� Godinez said.

Mayor Raymond Ojeda previously said that Godinez and Councilwoman Rosa Chacon both declined to participate in the hiring process, possibly because they opposed firing Sylva.

Chacon said then that she and Godinez were not involved in the selection of Sylva’s replacement. But Godinez said that prior to his departure from the country in December, “I wanted to serve on the selection committee--I asked to serve on the committee� that reviewed candidates for the job.

At a Jan. 17 meeting, Godinez called Police Chief Dominick Rivetti to a lectern, then asked the chief if he remembered a conversation that Godinez had with City Administrator Mary Strenn before he left the country. “Do you recall . . . I said I was upset because I was not on the (screening) panel?�

Rivetti said that he remembered the conversation.

The screening committee ultimately was composed of Strenn, Rivetti, Ojeda, Councilwoman Joanne Baltierrez and a Glendale city attorney. It narrowed a list of potential legal firms down to five, and the full council then was invited to interview finalists, Strenn said. “It’s a fairly typical process for selecting consulting services,� she said.