State senate appoints Coastal Commissioner from Mahattan Beach

On Wednesday, a state senate committee appointed Manhattan Beach city council member Jim Aldinger to the California Coastal Commission, reports the Daily Breeze. Aldinger will serve for four years, beginning with a meeting next month.

Aldinger says he considers coastal development and access and preservation of environmentally sensitive habitats among the most important issues facing the Coastal Commission. Commissioners, recently, have been leaning toward allowing rather than curbing coastal development, he said.

"I understand it’s hard for one person to get in and make quick changes," he said. "But I think it’s definitely possible to bring about a change, although it takes time and a lot of hard work."