Race for Los Angeles mayorship gets under way

Thursday, February 13, 1997

POLITICS:

Safety, concern for education cited as major issues by voters By
Brooke Olson

Daily Bruin Staff

It doesn’t generate the national hype that the presidential
elections do. And it can’t directly affect student fees or
financial aid.

But don’t sell the impact of the Los Angeles mayor short.
Ultimately, the mayor is responsible for determining the economic
and social condition of the city.

According to campaign officials, the mayor is responsible for a
number of issues that could potentially affect students. From
reducing crime rates to proposing a viable public transportation
system, the Los Angeles mayor can either aid or hinder the quality
of life in Los Angeles.

And this year’s two top candidates ­ incumbent Republican
Richard Riordan and Democratic challenger Tom Hayden ­ are
vying for a chance to reform the city after the April 8 municipal
primary.

However, the elections have yet to generate much response from
campus groups. Officials from both the Bruin Republicans and the
Bruin Democrats noted it is difficult to get excited about a race
that is still two months away.

"We’re still trying to pull our members together to see who they
want to support," said Angela Foster, president of the Bruin
Democrats. "It’s just that the race hasn’t gotten much press
coverage and so our members are fairly uninformed about the
candidates."

Despite the minimal press coverage, the campus appears split in
its support for both major candidates.

Some students believe that state Senator Hayden would be the
best mayor for Los Angeles.

"Hayden could do some good things … like bring Los Angeles as
a community closer to UCLA," said undergraduate academic affairs
member Max Espinoza in an interview two weeks ago.

Citing Hayden’s commitment to higher education, Espinoza noted
that "it would be nice to have a mayor who was actively involved in
education."

Hayden has held Assembly office since 1982 and was elected to
the Senate in 1992. Under current term limits regulations, he will
be ineligible for reelection in 2000.

Currently, Hayden is chair of the State Higher Education
Committee.

His involvement with higher education includes a bill introduced
this week which would establish the Statewide Student Service Crop,
the purpose of which would be to enable college and university
students to receive academic credit and student fee reduction for
tutoring in public schools.

Although some students believe Hayden serves as a powerful
educational ally in the state legislature, they note that much of
the Senate is pro-education.

"Before, it would have been a bad time to lose a powerful
supporter of education in the legislature," said undergraduate
Internal Vice President Glenn Inanaga. "But there are a lot more
Democrats in the legislature and it would be good to have the city
mayor strongly support either the UCLA administration or the
students."

Despite some student’s preferences for Hayden, Los Angeles
residents’ support for Riordan remains strong.

"I think Riordan has really benefitted the city over the last
four years and could do a really good job for the next four years,"
said first-year undeclared student Jamie Pollis.

"He’s trying to make the city better," she added, mentioning
Riordan’s taking only $1 a year in salary as an indication that he
is sincere about improving the city.

Since Riordan’s election in 1993, the mayor has reduced crime by
25 percent, increased employment and has started a foundation to
donate tens of thousands of dollars in computers to public schools,
said Todd Harris, a member of Riordan’s campaign staff.

"The mayor recognizes that the most important element to a
strong future for the city of Los Angeles is a good education,"
Harris said.

And one of the most important things to determining the quality
of education is safety, Harris added.

"You can’t study for a midterm if you’re in fear of someone
breaking into your home or walk to and from the library if you are
afraid of being assaulted … and the mayor is committed to making
this city safe," he said.

And Riordan’s commitment has not gone unnoticed.

According to a poll conducted by the Los Angeles Times two weeks
ago, the city’s voters favor Riordan over challenger Hayden by a
2-1 margin.

At the same time, over half of the residents approve of the way
Riordan is currently handling his job.

Concerning crime and safety, 67 percent of the voters said they
feel safe in their own communities ­ an 11 percent increase
from a year and a half ago.

At least some of Riordan’s strength can be attributed to a
dramatic turnaround in residents’ perceptions about the city in
general. A majority of Angelenos surveyed ­ 52 percent ­
felt things are going well in the city, up from 44 percent in the
last survey.

The Times Poll also found that voters believe Riordan would do a
better job of promoting prosperity and reducing crime. They also
believe he exhibits a strong leadership ability and that Riordan
demonstrates more integrity and honesty than Hayden.

But with the election two months away and local media press
coverage just beginning, it is possible that Hayden could turn the
votes around, some students said.

"I think as students become more informed of both candidates,
the support could fall in Hayden’s direction simply because he’s
proven himself to be a strong educational leader," Inanaga
said.

GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily Bruin

Assemblyman Tom Hayden (r.) responds to a question from Jason
Silvia, a fourth-year sociology student and long-time resident of
L.A., regarding his views on revamping American education.