CITIES SHOULDN'T MEDDLE WITH ASSIGNING RIGHTS.

Byline: Bruce L. Bialosky LOCAL VIEW

WHY are we discussing a bill of rights for the new charter of the city of Los Angeles?

Cities cannot give rights to their residents. Only countries or higher beings can give rights to people. One must question the logic in the points proposed as a city bill of rights. They are for the most part not things that governments should be ordaining as rights.

The chairman of the elected Charter Reform Commission, who is the main supporter of the bill of rights, apparently has a vision of rewriting the United States Constitution. Apparently failing in his attempt to do that at the federal level, he has decided to burden the residents of Los Angeles with his drive to reconstruct James Madison's work.

The rights proposal does not deal with the crux of the problem. The problem is the delivery of municipal services by the city of Los Angeles to its residents is mediocre to poor. The problem is that the city does not treat its residents as customers. It treats them as individuals obligated to fund the government with little or no corresponding obligation. The problem is that residents' needs are subordinated to the needs of city officials and city employees.

These problems are reinforced by the proposed bill of rights. There are two points talking about the rights of employees and none about the quality of municipal services.

Los Angeles city government has lost its focus. The government's primary responsibility is the delivery of essential municipal services. Those services should be delivered in a cost-effective manner. The residents should be treated as customers for those services. The taxes collected to provide those services should be at the lowest competitive rates.

Toward that end, I suggest the Charter Reform Commission drop the idea of the bill of rights and adopt the accompanying Principles of Governing. The principles speak to the basic responsibilities of our municipal government. This is what our city should be focused on accomplishing day-to-day. This is what the leaders of this community should be able to say are the goals of local government.

Review these principles and ask yourself, Is this a city you would like to live in? Does the current government operate with these principles in mind? After reading what has come out of the elected Charter Reform Commission, including the bill of rights, do you believe that there is an attempt to restructure Los Angeles toward these principles?

These principles are achievable. Do not let any pundits dissuade you from that thought. If there is any right to be delivered by local government it is that you are due the commitment to these principles.

After our city has adopted these Principles of Governing then our elected officials can do the other things they do now. This means, for instance, intervening in foreign affairs, becoming sports barons and rewriting the U.S. Constitution.

Los Angeles city government has largely lost its focus. That is why there are two charter commissions. That is why the San Fernando Valley is requesting a study to become an independent city.

The Principles of Governing define the kind of government we all deserve. We should expect and accept nothing less.

PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNING

The city shall maintain a police force that has all the necessary training and equipment to properly fulfill its duties. Policing shall be community-based so that all residents will have the opportunity to know their local police officers.

Fire protection shall be provided at the highest level of need. Fire personnel shall have quality equipment and the training necessary to execute their responsibilities.

Water and power shall be available to all residents at the lowest competitive rates available to other local communities throughout the nation.

The tax rates charged to the residents and the businesses that operate within the city shall be fair and understandable to all residents. The rates shall be competitive with surrounding communities so that the residents and businesses will not be driven outside the city borders.

The streets shall be maintained on a regular basis. All repairs shall be made timely. Potholes shall be filled within forty-eight hours of being reported. A customer service line shall be available to residents to report problems, and residents shall be notified of the outcome of their requests. Alleys shall be maintained as essential service streets and not neglected.

The highest-quality emergency (911) system shall be maintained. Adequately trained personnel shall be available to take calls and handle reports on a timely basis.

The city shall assure that the school system within its boundaries shall provide quality education to the children of the community. The schools shall be safe and clean.

City parks shall be properly maintained, and personnel shall be available during operating hours. Bathrooms at city parks shall meet all health code requirements that are applicable to operating businesses. Adequate staffing will be provided to handle resident inquiries regarding programs and facilities.

Libraries shall be operated during hours when the general public can access them. Services provided shall be comparable to the best cities locally and throughout the nation.

Trash collection shall be regular and timely. The cost of the trash service shall be competitive with all providers in the local area. The Sanitation Department shall maintain a hotline for reporting of abandoned items and collect such items within 48 hours.

Graffiti shall be removed within 48 hours of being reported. A hotline will be established for residents to use to report any graffiti. Individuals guilty of graffiti markings shall be prosecuted aggressively.

All city organizations must consider the effects their decisions will have on local taxpayers. The taxpayers shall be treated as customers, and their needs will come first. Effects on other parties shall be considered, but shall not be the priority.

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Box: PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNING (See Text)