RIORDAN WON'T NAME APPOINTEES, AIDE SAYS : MAYOR FAVORS ELECTED CHARTER REFORM PANEL.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

Mayor Richard Riordan has decided not to make his three appointments to an advisory commission created by the City Council to consider charter reform, saying it would confuse voters who he is asking to approve a separate, elected commission.

``He's not going to appoint,'' said an aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity. ``It's because it is in conflict with what he's doing.''

Under a proposal approved by the council this month, Riordan was given three appointments to a 21-person Charter Reform Commission that would recommend changes to the council. The council would have power to veto or alter which reforms are placed on the ballot.

Riordan has objected to that, saying the council has an interest in protecting the status quo, a system in which it has most of the power.

Instead, Riordan is campaigning for an initiative which would create an elected charter reform commission with power to put its reforms directly to the voters, without council revision.

Councilman Nate Holden criticized Riordan's decision not to appoint representatives to the advisory commission.

``It just says he wants it his way or no way at all and he doesn't want to work with the council in anyway or in any fashion,'' Holden said.

Holden said the lack of representation from the mayor does not make the advisory commission less viable.

``It doesn't hurt the commission's credibility at all,'' Holden said.

Riordan told council President John Ferraro of his decision Thursday, sources said.

One source close to Ferraro said the council president is considering options that include shrinking the commission to 18 or having Ferraro make the three appointments as acting mayor when Riordan leaves for vacation in Canada today.

Ferraro already has two appointments under the process set up by the council because he is president of the body. So, he could put five selections on the commission if he chooses to also take Riordan's appointments.

Every other elected official in Los Angeles city government was allowed to make one appointment to the panel.

Despite endorsing Riordan's initiative to create an elected charter reform commission, City Councilman Joel Wachs on Friday appointed a representative to the council-created advisory panel.

Wachs appointed Valley Village resident Alexandra Glickman to the 21-person Ad Hoc Commission on Charter Reform. Glickman is vice president of the risk management and insurance brokerage firm Johnson and Higgins.