Mayor Says His Vote Was Proper : Lancaster: William Pursley explains that he didn’t know he would get a $9,780 commission after land owned by his partner was sold.

Lancaster Mayor William Pursley said Thursday he had done nothing improper in working to change a city development requirement that aided in the sale of land for which he earned a $9,780 real estate commission.

Pursley, a real estate agent, said there was no conflict of interest because he did not realize he would earn a commission from the sale last August. The nearly one-acre parcel was owned by Clyde Golding, a business partner of Pursley.

“At the time I made the vote, I absolutely had no idea I would be receiving a commission on the transaction,” Pursley said in his first public response since disclosures that he received a commission on the sale.

Pursley has said he did little more than bring the listing to Mid Valley Real Estate, where he works. He said Thursday that he learned after the sale was final that he had been credited with representing Golding.

While the property was in escrow, Pursley lobbied and voted in June for a reduction in the size of a city easement along one edge of the property, northeast of the intersection of Avenue M and Fourth Street East. Golding has said he asked the mayor for help because the original easement would have reduced the price and jeopardized the sale.

“Every vote I have made I believe has been in the best interests of the city,” Pursley said. “At no time did I ever have personal involvement as foremost in my mind.”

His actions are being reviewed by the state Fair Political Practices Commission and the county district attorney. Pursley told reporters Thursday that he has hired a lawyer in response to those reviews.

Pursley’s comments came soon after the other four City Council members decided against trying to remove him from the honorary office of mayor. The council chooses a member to serve as mayor each year. At least three of the other four had discussed removing Pursley because of the disclosures. But only one, Councilman George Theophanis, a political rival, publicly advocated that action.

After meeting with Pursley behind closed doors, council members said they had not voted on an ouster. “All you’re taking away is ceremonial powers,” said Councilman Arnie Rodio, adding that he and Councilman Henry Hearns had discussed Pursley’s removal.

Pursley said he has hired the same law firm that helped former Councilman Louis Bozigian win acquittal on a criminal conflict of interest charge in 1986.

After his acquittal, Bozigian persuaded the city to pay nearly $24,000 of his legal expenses from public funds, city officials said. Council members said Thursday they did not expect to pay Pursley’s legal bills.