EDITORIAL : SUPPORT THE MAYOR; RIORDAN HAS THE RIGHT IDEA TO BOLSTER VAN NUYS.

WE have called Van Nuys ground zero in the struggle to revive our neighborhoods and rebuild Los Angeles for the 21st century, and Mayor Richard Riordan joined us by naming Van Nuys to the list of communities getting $1 million annual grants.

Unfortunately, council members with less vision oppose him.

And in so doing, they have drawn a line in the sand in the fight over L.A.'s priorities: economic and community development vs. social welfare programs.

The stakes are enormous, not only in terms of dollars but in the direction L.A. is heading.

Riordan wants to include Van Nuys in the Targeted Neighborhood Initiative and give it $1 million in federal block grants for three years like 11 other neighborhoods in the city.

With the efforts already under way in the Van Nuys business community, this money could help begin a process of rejuvenation for the whole area.

Better jobs would be created, pride would be restored, children could be raised with hope and in safety.

This is what made America great.

But the six members of two City Council committees - not one of whom represents any portion of the Valley - considering this money for Van Nuys repudiated the mayor's promise and offered just $300,000 to the community.

They believe City Hall should be solving the problems of poverty and disadvantage by, in this case, taking as much federal grant money as possible and building low-income housing for the few - instead of creating opportunity for the many.

For a quarter of a century, this has been at the heart of City Hall's failure to move Los Angeles forward.

The city doesn't have the resources to reinvent the world.

But it can plant the seeds of economic development and nurture our neighborhoods so that everyone has a chance to improve his life.

If city policies encourage a healthy business climate, more and better jobs will become available, and that - and that alone - will help people on a large scale to have the money to rent or buy housing that is a step up, that will improve their lot in life and inspire their children to advance even further.

So it comes down to this: Van Nuys is ground zero in the battle to revive our neighborhoods. It is that important.

Everyone who wants to see a better city needs to join the fray. We must work together to achieve what is possible and what will make our city stronger over time.

The issue of starting the revival of Van Nuys soon will go before the full council.

Seven council members represent parts of the Valley, and we urge you to let them know how much you care. Let them know you understand that as Van Nuys goes, so goes the Valley. Voice your strong support for the mayor and his plan to help Van Nuys.