EDITORIAL : 2 FOR CHARTER REFORM.Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. has strayed far from the goal of the original City Charter adopted more than 70 years ago - to provide local access and accountability. On June 3, voters have one last chance to rechart L.A.'s course. In the spirit of trying to salvage the spirit of charter reform, the Daily News Editorial Board endorses Los Angeles architect Chester Widom for the charter commission in the 6th City Council District runoff race. Widom has the intelligence, integrity and independence to help keep the elected Charter Commission an accessible and accountable body. As an architect, a trustee of LEARN school reform and former member of the city's Planning Commission Noun 1. planning commission - a commission delegated to propose plans for future activities and developments commission, committee - a special group delegated to consider some matter; "a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours" - Milton Berle Design Review Task Force, he brings a perspective on urban planning urban planning: see city planning. urban planning Programs pursued as a means of improving the urban environment and achieving certain social and economic objectives. and a background in problem solving problem solving Process involved in finding a solution to a problem. Many animals routinely solve problems of locomotion, food finding, and shelter through trial and error. that will certainly prove useful in tackling a formidable task. Widom is running against LAUSD LAUSD Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles, CA) teacher Jimmie Woods Gray. Gray's 20 years of community service are admirable. And her commitment to allow neighborhood councils Neighborhood councils are governmental or non-governmental bodies composed of local people who handle neighborhood problems. They can be found in many cities throughout the world. more local control seems sound. But Woods Gray seems less inclined to seriously alter the balance of power between the mayor and City Council that would create real reform. And her deep involvement with Democratic Party politics and backing by city union groups leaves her vulnerable to attacks that she is one more voice for special interests. Jean in District 13 IN the 13th City Council District, the Daily News Editorial Board endorses Lorri Jean, an attorney and the executive director of the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center. Jean's clear-eyed vision of L.A. would mean genuine reform and a better division of power between the mayor and council and allow for true neighborhood involvement and decision-making authority. Her desire to write a charter that is simple and flexible enough to meet the changing demands of a new century is refreshing and sound. And she has the experience and background to make charter reform happen. Her opponent, Bennett Kayser, a computer systems analyst and neighborhood activist in Silver Lake, has a troubling tendency to get mired mire n. 1. An area of wet, soggy, muddy ground; a bog. 2. Deep slimy soil or mud. 3. A disadvantageous or difficult condition or situation: the mire of poverty. v. in minutiae mi·nu·ti·a n. pl. mi·nu·ti·ae A small or trivial detail: "the minutiae of experimental and mathematical procedure" Frederick Turner. that could seriously slow the process. His lack of focus on the larger picture coupled with his endorsements from nearly every city worker's union are cause for great concern. With seven of the eight seats already decided going to candidates backed by city unions or City Council members with vested interests, the independence offered by Widom and Jean are vital to counter any undue pressure by special interests. |
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