CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR AIM TO BREAK FROM PACK.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

As they attempt to distinguish themselves for voters in the April 10 election, the top six candidates for mayor are offering unique messages for how they believe Los Angeles should be governed and where it should be going.

Entering a new millennium and with what will be a new City Council majority, the six are emphasizing their own strengths as they hope to capture the will of the people - or at least enough to get into a June runoff election.

For City Attorney James Hahn, who has been elected four times to the post and once before as city controller, it is his experience that he will tout.

``I want to send a strong message about what I have been able to accomplish and that I understand Los Angeles and where it should be going in the future,'' Hahn said. ``I want to work to keep the city together.''

Councilman Joel Wachs said his message is to open up government to the public.

``Wherever I go, people tell me they are sick and tired of not being able to have a voice in government,'' Wachs said. ``We have to do something to get decision-making out of the hands of a small group of people and special interests. People want a say in government - not just the issues that affect their neighborhoods, but all the citywide policies.''

Former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa said his is a message of consensus building.

``When you look at secession, it is the most serious challenge facing the city and I want to work to show people my leadership in bringing people together,'' Villaraigosa said. ``I understand why people in the Valley, Hollywood and San Pedro support secession and I believe I'm the one who can take on that challenge.''

To Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles, the message is to make the city work.

``People don't believe the city is working,'' Becerra said. ``The thing for me to convey is how it can work. We have to show people that we can deliver and have more accountability in the city.''

Parks Commissioner Steve Soboroff said his message is one of being a problem-solver.

``We've got big issues in this city - crime, education, traffic, the environment - and people don't want another politician,'' Soboroff said. ``We need someone who can get things done, recognize problems and address them rather than react to them.''

State Controller Kathleen Connell said her message will be emphasizing her experience in the private and public sectors - overseeing a department of 15,000 employees with a budget of $100 million - as well as the problems of the city.

``We have a city that is dysfunctional - that has given up control through consent decrees,'' Connell said. ``We need to make a city that works and offers respect to the different neighborhoods that make up our city. Los Angeles is the only major city in the nation where areas like the Valley, the Harbor and Hollywood want to leave.''