TIPOFF FORMER GOVERNOR WANTS TO KEEP POLITICS IN THE FAMILY.

Byline: RICK ORLOV

Politics is the family business for Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, and he is serving notice he is not ready to give it up as he faces term limits.

Brown, a former governor who has announced he plans to run for attorney general in 2006, sent out a fund-raising letter to state Democrats this month, highlighting his family ties.

He noted that his father, Pat Brown, had also served as California governor and attorney general - and he is hoping his candidacy will scare off other challengers.

``I have put in place a solid campaign team and raised over $1.5 million - with support coming from all across the country,'' said Brown, whose sister, Kathleen, formerly served as state treasurer.

``It is important we build on this momentum. If we can raise a substantial amount in the next six months, I am hoping that members of my own party ... will seek other offices.''

City Councilman Bernard Parks, who is portraying himself as the only nonpolitician running against Mayor James Hahn, finds himself in a very political spat.

Parks sent a letter last week to Police Commission President David Cunningham, complaining about a report being prepared by noted civil-rights attorney Connie Rice.

The letter said Parks had information that Rice, who is part of the Rampart Blue Ribbon Committee, had told some black police officers that the report would be issued prior to the March 8 election in order to discredit him. Parks was chief of the Los Angeles Police Department when the corruption scandal in the Rampart Division broke.

Rice flatly disputes Parks' assertions.

``It never happened,'' Rice said. ``Our report is about the department. It has nothing to do with Parks or any individual. We are looking at mistakes by everybody.''

In another example of a squeaky wheel getting some attention, mayoral candidate Walter Moore is finally getting his wish - sort of.

The Valley Glen Neighborhood Council is sponsoring a mayoral debate at Los Angeles Valley College on Jan. 5. It will include Moore, who has been complaining that he was excluded from two earlier debates among major candidates.

So far, Parks, state Sen. Richard Alarcon and former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg have agreed to appear with Moore. Hahn and Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa have not yet responded.

Last week, Hahn told members of Valley VOTE that he thought Moore should be included.

Of course, at this stage, it wouldn't hurt Hahn any more. And, in fact, it could help if Moore begins attacking the other candidates, who have been focusing on criticism of Hahn.

In one of those end-of-the-year listings, the publication PR Week takes note of the City Hall controversies and some of its key players.

Topping its list of ``Communicators Who Awed,'' is Controller Laura Chick who ``took agency giant Fleishman-Hillard to task for allegedly overbilling the Department of Water and Power by $4.2 million, and spurred increased industry-wide scrutiny of billing practices.''

Fleishman also is listed separately for the controversy, ranking No. 3 for businesses creating a stir and listing new regional president Richard Kline as having the most daunting job in P.R. in trying to rebuild the L.A. office's reputation.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com