Keller, L.A. port director, resigns amid political turmoil

Keller, L.A. port director, resigns amid political turmoil Larry Keller, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles for seven years, has resigned under pressure from political officials.
   The announcement came from the office of Mayor James K. Hahn late Friday. Keller had no comment for the media.
   Deputy Mayor Doane Liu said Hahn did not force Keller out. Other aides noted the mayor blamed Keller for bad relationships with communities around the port. Hahn lives in one of them, San Pedro.
   Not everyone in the shipping industry was happy with Keller's ouster. 'I thought he was a fine manager, and much of the waterfront is perplexed and somewhat dismayed over the political situation that has caused his ouster,' said Capt. M.H.K. 'Manny' Aschemeyer, executive director of the Maritime Exchange, which monitors port traffic.
   A month ago, Hahn rejected the port's plan to reduce air pollution. Federal and local prosecutors have been looking into the port's contracting practices.
   Janice Hahn, an influential city councilwoman who is also Mayor Hahn's sister, said Los Angeles was looking for a port director who could move 'in the direction of a neighborhood-friendly port' to replace Keller, who was paid $278,000 annually.