RIORDAN AGAINST VALLEY BREAKUP.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

PACOIMA - As he heads into the final year in office, a relaxed and reflective Mayor Richard Riordan on Tuesday urged San Fernando Valley business leaders to fight efforts to break away from the city while urging them to support a revolution to break ``the cancer'' of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Riordan, speaking to the Valley Industry and Commerce Association board of directors, acknowledged the strong sentiment that smaller government is more responsive.

``If all the different parts of the city were to try to come together today, that probably would be a mistake,'' Riordan said. ``But I say to the people of the Valley, of Hollywood, of San Pedro, that today we are stronger as one city than if we break up.''

At the same time, Riordan argued that the school district needed to be downsized with more independent, accountable units - but short of a breakup.

``The ideal world would be to have 50 districts, but that would mean 50 separate superintendents and 50 separate boards,'' Riordan said. ``And some of them would have agendas that would end up hurting children.

``Everything we do has to be for the children - to make sure they get a quality education. What we have to do now is look at who the next superintendent will be.''

Riordan said the successor to interim Superintendent Ramon Cortines will be critical to whether the LAUSD can be saved.

As for himself, Riordan said once he leaves office in July 2001, he will devote all his time to educational issues.

The mayor, who was the author of the term-limit proposals that will force him from office, said he still believes the limitation is a good idea.

``I think, after eight years, everyone needs a change,'' Riordan said. ``Otherwise, you begin to believe you can't be replaced.''

During his tenure, Riordan said, he is proudest of his efforts in reforming city government - both through administrative actions and the new City Charter taking effect July 1.

``We have made the city safer and more efficient,'' Riordan said. ``When I took office, one of the things I said I wanted to do was make the city more friendly to businesses. We have done that. When I came in, someone wanting to shoot a movie had to come to City Hall five different times. Now, they can get approval over the telephone.''

The mayor said he is also proud of various projects accomplished or started under his administration, from Staples Center to the new cathedral and Disney Hall in downtown Los Angeles along with the renaissance of Hollywood and the Alameda Corridor.

``You can see the city blossoming,'' Riordan said.

Also, Riordan told the group - gathered at the headquarters of the anti-poverty group MEND, or Meet Each Need with Dignity - that he believed the main problem in the Rampart Division police corruption case was the lack of accountability.

``For too long, even before the administration of former Chief Willie L. Williams, officers were allowed to get away with improper activities,'' Riordan said.

``And they were allowed to get up through the ranks without any accountability,'' Riordan said. ``Sergeants and lieutenants should have known what was going on and stopped it. If they didn't know, they should be fired.