TIPOFF CAMPAIGN WATCH COMMISSION GENERATES GRUMBLING.

Byline: RICK ORLOV

Maybe it's time to reform the reformers.

That might be one of the few things the campaigns of Julie Korenstein and Greig Smith agree upon in their race for the 12th District City Council seat and the actions of the Campaign Watch Commission.

The panel, a division of the League of Women Voters, has become increasingly active in recent years in offering its opinion on what is or isn't a dirty trick or misleading campaign literature.

Last week, it came out with a report critical of a Smith mailing - on April Fool's Day, including a depiction of a jester that it criticized - as being misleading. It leads one to believe that even humor is no longer permitted in campaigns.

``This is not even worth the paper it's printed on,'' fumed Smith campaign manager Mitchell Englander. ``It's not even worth the ink I had to use in my fax machine.''

While happy with the commission's ruling, Korenstein campaign manger John Shallman also acknowledged some concerns with the panel and how its members have been involved in campaigns.

It is made up of a host of political activists and includes former Councilman Marvin Braude and former District Attorney Robert Philibosian. In the past, Braude has endorsed Korenstein and Philibosian has come out for Smith.

While Philibosian recused himself from the most recent decision, Braude did remain involved because he has not endorsed in this election.

Yvonne Gottleib of the League of Women Voters defends the panel as trying to provide a bipartisan voice on campaigns to try to set an ethical standard for how they are conducted.

Campaign reform has been very much on the mind of the City Council as it goes through seemingly endless debate over a package of proposals drafted by the Ethics Commission to try to crack down on independent expenditures in city campaigns.

With all the debate droning on and on, Councilwoman Janice Hahn took a break only to find out the council had pushed through a proposal - without discussion - to limit the fund-raising period for candidates.

``The one time I go to the bathroom and this just sails through,'' Hahn complained.

Councilman Eric Garcetti was semi-sympathetic.

``That's why we're all holding it,'' he said.

One of the criticisms of the city Ethics Commission in the past has been that it is too closely tied to political insiders or those who know insiders. The panel is a grab-bag of appointees by the City Council, the mayor, city attorney and controller.

Controller Laura Chick says she wants to change that and is holding an open call for people interested in serving on the panel - for which there is no pay.

Chick said she is asking people to submit an application to her office if they are interested in serving on the panel that oversees all city elections.

``This very public search is opening up the otherwise closed corridors of City Hall,'' Chick said. ``I am casting a wide net by reaching out to the people of Los Angeles.''

Chick said she wants someone who can be independent, and applications should be submitted to her office at 200 N. Main St., Room 300, Los Angeles CA 90012.

The appointment is for a five-year term and the applicant must be a registered voter, not hold elective office nor be involved in any campaigns.

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich took some shots at Los Angeles city officials last week for the amount of time it has taken to complete a park.

Antonovich noted the city has been working for several years to put play apparatus - including swings and a tube for kids to crawl through - at Elysian Park near Dodger Stadium.

``Any school in the city could have put them in overnight,'' Antonovich said. ``It's the damned inefficiency of the city. It's taken them three years to build restrooms there.''

Daily News Staff Writer Troy Anderson contributed to this report.