Longtime VNY CAC Member Returns After Controversial Dismissal and Amid Scrutiny of LAWA's Influence
iSpyVNY news - May 16, 2026
Van Nuys, CA — Questions about how Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has handled appointments to the Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council (VNY CAC) continue to grow as longtime member Wayne Williams returns to the council following his disputed dismissal last year.
Williams, who has served on the advisory board for more than 20 years and previously held the vice chair position, was among several City Council–appointed members removed by LAWA in 2025. The removals came amid months of debate over a proposed airport land swap , which several of the ousted members—including Williams—had publicly questioned. According to City Council File 25‑1514, the dismissals were carried out without proper authorization, raising concerns about compliance with council bylaws and existing resolutions. iSpyVNY first reported on the controversy in October 2025.
According to the council file, Airport Manager Jacob Haik acted without direction from either the Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) or the original appointing authorities. Officials have said Haik’s claims that prior BOAC resolutions allowed the removals were unfounded. The file notes, “The BOAC Resolution… establishes a precedent for modifying the configuration of the VNY CAC, but this is not actually codified in the bylaws.”
Concerns about LAWA’s influence intensified after the board’s October 16, 2025, action that imposed new requirements on City Council appointees while leaving the Mayor and BOAC appointees unchanged. In public comment, Sue Steinberg wrote, “LAWA doesn’t play by the rules, and only looks out for their own self-interest… They are once again overstepping their authority, and stacking the deck with CAC appointees that will rubber-stamp their interests.”
Additional documents recently released, and written around the same time, appear to give further fuel to Steinberg’s concern about LAWA’s involvement in the appointment process. An email provided to iSpyVNY by the SoCal Aeronautical group showed Councilmember Bob Blumenfield’s Legislative Director, Jeff Jacobberger, writing to Haik regarding Council District 3 CAC representatives: “You had mentioned that you had some potential candidates in mind, and it would be helpful for us to get those names.” The email confirms that Haik contacted the council office to encourage a reappointment to the district’s seat(s) and offered to assist in finding candidates.
Chris Johnston, a member of the group, said, “Considering the CAC is supposed to provide citizen oversight over the airport and its operational impact on surrounding communities, it seems like a conflict of interest for the airport manager to be making recommendations for Councilmember appointees; I told Blumenfield's office that constituents may feel betrayed.” Blumenfield’s office was not available for comment before publication.
Amid increasing scrutiny over LAWA’s role in council appointments, Councilmember Nithya Raman acted independently. She reinstated Williams in late April. Williams, who represents Council District 4, is expected to attend the June 2 meeting. In an April 24 email obtained by iSpyVNY, Haik acknowledged the decision in a message to Williams, writing, “I’d like to extend a warm welcome back to the Community Advisory Council.”
The City Council continues to review the 2025 removals and LAWA’s October 16 attempt to ratify them. The council has requested that LAWA prepare a report with recommendations on how the City Council can consider changes to the makeup of the Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council. The report is still pending.