On the date of Rick Mercado’s installation to the position of Pico Water District Boardmember, PRCTIP adamantly challenged his position as a potential conflict of interest.  Since Mercado was sitting on the Planning Commission, he would be voting on new developments that would use water from the Pico Water District.  Mercado would then be put in the position of voting on issues for those same developments which would constitute a conflict of interest.

PRCTIP’s alleged potential for this conflict of interest was confirmed by (in Mercado’s words) the “Attorney General” and that confirmation was the impetus for him to tender his resignation from the Pico Rivera Planning Commission.

The remaining question is – If the Planning Commission is a more prestigious appointment, why didn’t Mercado resign from the Pico Water District?  Right now only Beilke and Napolitano know for sure, but we will be watching this very closely.

BTW – Could it be possible that Pat Carillo will be Beilke’s new appointment to the Pico Rivera Planning Commission as a precursor to Beilke running her for City Council?