Los Angeles Daily News

Candidates, minus Hahn, focus on Valley concerns
By Rick Orlov
Staff Writer

Wednesday, January 05, 2005 - VALLEY GLEN -- The needs of the San Fernando Valley took center stage in a debate Wednesday among candidates seeking to be the next Los Angeles mayor in the March 8 election.

Although Mayor James Hahn did not attend, he became the subject of criticism for the direction of the city by those seeking to replace him.

Councilmen Bernard Parks and Antonio Villaraigosa, along with state Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg and attorney Walter Moore participated in the event sponsored by the Associated Students of Los Angeles Valley College.

Other sponsors included the Greater Valley Glen Neighborhood Council and the Universal City-North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Alarcon and Hertzberg stressed their ties to the Valley as they told the audience they would be able to change attitudes at City Hall.

"How do you reach out to your home?" Alarcon asked. "I was born in the Valley. I live in the Valley. My concerns are the Valley."

Alarcon said he would bring an understanding of the Valley's needs and desires if he is elected mayor.

Likewise, Hertzberg, who lives in Sherman Oaks, said making sure the Valley got its share of city services and attention would be a priority.

"That's what I did when I represented the Valley in the state Legislature," Hertzberg said. "I made sure the Valley was taken care of."

The other candidates said they would try to change the attitude of City Hall under Hahn -- who has been working to rebuild Valley ties damaged during the bitter 2002 secession election.

"I would not be saying we are out there or over here," Parks said. "We are all part of the same city."

Villaraigosa, who arrived late, said his concern is with the style of leadership given the city.

"We have big problems facing this city, whether it's illegal immigration, the homeless or transportation," Villaraigosa said. "What this city needs is a leader, someone who will roll up his sleeves and bring this city together, to provide the leadership a great city needs and deserves."

Parks said he was offering himself as a nonpolitician to change the direction of the city.

"I gave 40 years of my life to public service," said Parks, who was police chief until Hahn opposed his reappointment to a second five-year term in 2002. "Los Angeles is stuck in a quagmire. I want to offer myself to provide the leadership and restore integrity to the city."

Moore, who has been campaigning as the self-described sole Republican in the nonpartisan race, urged the crowd to press organizers of future debates to allow him to participate.

If elected, Moore said, he would seek to end all business taxes and the city's rent control program as well as seeking to crack down on illegal immigrants living and working in the city.

Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 [email protected]