ALLEGATIONS SURFACE IN REFORM PANEL APPOINTMENT.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

Ninety-six people applied to become executive director of the elected Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission, but some officials charged Tuesday that a back-door scheme is under way to hire a close ally of Mayor Richard Riordan.

The commission decided Monday night to extend until tonight the deadline for people to apply for the executive director's job after a dispute arose in the commission over a proposal to interview LEARN director Mike Roos for the job, even though he did not submit an application by Friday's deadline.

Roos was recommended for consideration by commission President Gloria Romero, Vice President Dennis Zine and Commissioner Chester Widom in a letter dated Aug. 13 but given to most commissioners Monday during a closed-door meeting.

``We believe that his background, his credentials and his skills are ideally suited to not only meet the needs of the commission but, in fact, would greatly enhance our ability to meet our goals,'' said the letter, authored by Widom.

Roos, who heads an educational reform group founded by Riordan, did not return calls for comment.

However, Commissioner Jackie Dupont Walker said she was told by some of her fellow commissioners that that the mayor is supportive of Roos getting the job.

``There appears to be a private agenda during the public process,'' she said.

Walker objected that the Roos nomination was coming in outside the normal application process that is open to the public.

``I think we have to have some integrity,'' she said. ``We approved a process and we should follow it.''

City Councilman Nate Holden also criticized the panel, saying it is ``totally unfair'' to the 96 people who submitted applications by Friday's deadline to have another person recommended for the job in a closed-door meeting of commissioners.

Riordan, who already has promised to raise all of the commission's operating costs, including $300,000 from his own wallet, supports Roos for the job but is leaving the decision up to the panel, according to spokeswoman Noelia Rodriguez.

Zine said there was a misunderstanding by some commissioners who did not realize that the process allowed nominations by commissioners in addition to formal applications.

Widom said the panel agreed ahead of time that in addition to considering those who filed applications by Friday's deadline, each commissioner would be allowed to nominate up to three people.

``Our goal is to find the best candidates so we can find the best executive director,'' Widom said.