CLOSE RACE TO SUCCEED MISCIKOWSKI.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

While most of the attention of Los Angeles voters has been on the race for mayor, a hard-fought battle is being waged in the city's most affluent and politically active area.

In the Westside's 11th Council District, where Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski is being termed out, a close runoff election race is being waged by former cable television executive Bill Rosendahl and community activist Flora Gil Krisiloff.

The two have taken similar positions on most issues of concern to voters in the district, such as the $11 billion modernization plan for Los Angeles International Airport and limiting growth throughout the district.

Rosendahl, a popular public speaker from his days as host of a public television talk show on Adelphia Cable and its predecessors, finished first in the primary election with nearly 45 percent of the vote.

Krisiloff, a member of the West Los Angeles Area Planning Commission, counts her community ties as her asset in the race. She received nearly 42 percent of the vote in the primary. If elected, she would be the second Asian-American to serve on the City Council.

Both have run well-financed campaigns, with each spending more than $1 million, primarily in mailings to voters.

Of the two, Rosendahl has been endorsed by more city officials although Krisiloff has the backing of Miscikowski and Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, both highly popular figures in the district.

On Tuesday, voters citywide also will be asked to decide two ballot measures.

Measure A, if approved, would give the City Council the power to authorize the merger of the more-than-300-member Los Angeles Airport police with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Mayor James Hahn and Police Chief Bill Bratton support the measure, despite studies questioning if such a merger would be effective.

Most City Council members have come out against the proposal. They have said they are concerned it would allow the LAPD to transfer officers away from LAX and reduce security there and that it raises questions about other issues, such as security at Ontario Airport.

Also, voters will be asked to approve Measure B, a technical change to the City Charter to bring the city's laws on recall elections in line with state law.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com