HOMEOWNERS GROUP HEARS MAYOR OUT ON HOT VALLEY ISSUES.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

SHERMAN OAKS- About 300 residents packed into a meeting hall Wednesday evening to hear Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa explain his plans to reform city schools, ease traffic and increase the availability of affordable housing.

Addressing members of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association, the mayor said the ramifications of a poor education system were already being felt in the city, where he said recruiters for the Los Angles police and fire departments have come across a number of applicants who can not fill out applications.

``The key to the economy in this city in terms of increasing middle-class jobs is an educated work force ... If we don't address the challenge of education, this city won't be a city you will want to live in,'' Villaraigosa said.

Villaraigosa has pledged to gain mayoral control of the massive 720,000-student Los Angeles Unified School District by the end of his first term. On Wednesday he said the district could learn a lot from the independent charter schools that have sprung up over the past decade as alternatives to traditional public school education.

``I like that he wants to fight to lessen the stronghold that the unions have on the school curriculum,'' said Ernest Goodman, who has lived in Sherman Oaks for 37 years.

While many homeowners welcomed the mayor's message on education, they said they wanted to see him deliver on his pledges.

``Basically, he speaks on a lot of topics, but it remains to be seen (what he will accomplish),'' said Irving Vassman, a 30-year resident.

The mayor also said he would spend time developing business opportunities in Los Angeles, work hard to make it easier for middle-class families to buy homes and pursue a North-South bus line through the San Fernando Valley.

``You're going to see a mayor focus his energies on the business community and all stakeholders,'' Villaraigosa said.

Richard Close, president of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association said the group invited the mayor to hear specific plans on reforming public schools, easing traffic congestion and preventing the homeless from loitering on Ventura Boulevard.

``I personally believe (Villaraigosa) is doing a good job, but this is his opportunity to explain what he's doing for the general public,'' Close said. ``Our problems in Sherman Oaks are the same problems that people have throughout the Valley. We're trying to protect and enhance our neighborhoods. Mayor (James) Hahn was voted out of office because he was not a problem solver. He, in my opinion, wasted four years.''

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com