RIORDAN CITES SUCCESS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - In his final report on the State of the City, Mayor Richard Riordan on Thursday celebrated his accomplishments in bringing back a city from riots and recession to prosperity and promise.

``When I took office eight years ago, a dark cloud loomed over the City of Angels,'' Riordan told some 500 people at the historic El Portal Theater, which was rebuilt after the Northridge Earthquake.

``Riots and recession colored every community. Unemployment was at 10 percent, our economy was stagnant and crime was soaring. Our city was in a deep, deep crisis.''

And then, he said, the 1994 Northridge Earthquake laid waste to great parts of the city - sparking a massive rebuilding that coincided with an improved economy.

``This turnaround did not happen by magic,'' Riordan said. ``We came together as a community with one goal in mind: to make Los Angeles the greatest in the world.''

Many point to the earthquake as the coming of age of the Riordan administration, when he was able to assert authority, bring together city services and appreciate the work of public employees as billions were spent to rebuild the city.

``Today, if we all ask ourselves are we better off today than we were eight years ago, the answer is a resounding yes,'' Riordan said.

The annual speech, which Riordan has used to highlight different areas of the city, was full of what has been accomplished during his two terms as mayor - which comes to an end on June 30 - as he also offered some apologies and advice to the man who will succeed him.

Unlike past remarks in the Valley and over the past two years, Riordan did not address the issue of secession, instead focusing on his efforts to bring and keep the city unified.

Since taking office, Riordan said, the unemployment rate has been cut in half and personal income is up 40 percent.

Crime is down by 50 percent compared with 1993 and, even with the Rampart Division police corruption scandal, the mayor said community policing is returning and connecting people with police officers who are being deployed throughout neighborhoods.

Riordan said he has opened new possibilities for the next mayor by leaving a sound budget with a $100 million reserve fund, improved parks and libraries that serve more people, and an emergency medical system with paramedics in each fire station.

Also, he said he has opened the political potential of the office with his work to change the Los Angeles Unified School District.

``When I first spoke out, I was told that it was none of my business ... I should step aside and let the (education) experts handle the problem,'' Riordan said. ``But it was my problem. These children are my constituents. As mayor, I could stand silent no longer.''

In addition to adding money for programs such as L.A.'s Best, Riordan took an active political role in electing a new school board majority intent on building schools and improving the district's curriculum.

The apology Riordan offered was to city workers.

``When I first took office, like most political outsiders, I viewed bureaucrats as a major part of the problem,'' Riordan said.

``I was wrong. I'm proud to say we turned our government around by recruiting talented leaders and holding them accountable for the jobs they do. Los Angeles today has the best workers of any city in the country.''

The mayor also laid out an ambitious agenda for what he would like to see the next mayor continue or improve - even as he has held off on making an endorsement between City Attorney James Hahn and former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa.

Riordan said the next mayor's first priority is to deal with public safety and reform of the Police Department and ``put the dark chapter of the Rampart scandal behind us once and for all.''

To do that, he said the LAPD needs to have the tools to fight crime while efforts are made to improve recruitment, morale and community policing.

The other priorities, he said, are in neighborhoods - with the new neighborhood councils as well as efforts to improve libraries, fix streets, demolish abandoned buildings and inspire young people.

And, above all, is improving parks - which has become a pet project of the mayor, who has cleaned up 37 parks over the past six months.

``I make a special plea to our new mayor to continue improving our parks and guarding our green space,'' Riordan said.

As for the future, Riordan said he would like to look back eight years from now to see a city of economic opportunity, good education and hope.

``I see a Los Angeles where all of us - all races, religions and orientations - come together as citizens of the same city, bound by a common purpose and inspired by a common interest,'' Riordan said.

The speech drew most of the city's department heads and commissioners - along with political supporters of the mayor from his first run for office.

It was highlighted by a five-minute video chronicling his accomplishments from the time he took office on July 1, 1993.

Hahn said he agreed with the mayor's remarks on the goals of the next mayor, as well as applauded Riordan for his accomplishments.

``We always haven't agreed, but we have appreciated our differences and both have agreed on the need to make the city safe,'' Hahn said. ``We have worked well on those issues.''

Villaraigosa, who did not attend the speech, said he had phoned Riordan.

``I congratulated him on his his accomplishments in economic development, education and public safety,'' Villaraigosa said. ``I also wanted to let him know that I accept his challenges to build on those accomplishments and move Los Angeles forward.''

Councilman Mike Hernandez, who with Councilman Alex Padilla were the only two council members present, said he was disappointed that more of his colleagues did not attend the speech.

``I haven't always agreed with him, but when you look back he has accomplished a great deal,'' Hernandez said. ``Perhaps his biggest failing was in his relations with the City Council.''

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(1 -- color) RIORDAN

(2 -- 3) Los Angeles city officials and other dignitaries listen as Mayor Richard Riordan gives his final State of the City address Thursday at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer