STUDIO CITY – Six of the challengers to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s re-election bid sparred in a rowdy forum Sunday that riled up the crowd over issues like immigration and the failures of city government. Villaraigosa, who has been running his campaign as if he is uncontested, did not show up. But that didn’t stop the candidates from taking shots at him as well as each other. About the only thing the challengers agreed on was a desire to dethrone Villaraigosa. Asked to name the biggest mistake the mayor has made during his first term, the answers included not firing Police Chief William Bratton after the May Day melee; the mayor’s effort to take over the Los Angeles Unified School District; and rushing Measure B, the solar power initiative, to the March ballot. “Part of the problem with the city right now is the mayor shows up just 11 percent of the time to do his job. If I’m elected, I will work twice as hard,” said candidate Walter Moore, as the crowd chuckled. Villaraigosa’s campaign manager, Ace Smith, did not return calls seeking comment. The forum, organized by the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils and sponsored by the Daily News, was held Sunday afternoon at the CBS studios in Studio City before an audience of about 90 local residents. Candidates attending the forum included Carlos Alvarez, Phil Jennerjahn, David Hernandez, David “Zuma Dogg” Saltsburg and Craig X. Rubin. It was the subject of immigration
Updated: 02/15/2009 09:34:08 PM PST
If elected, Jennerjahn, an actor and self-described conservative, promised that illegal immigrants would be arrested and deported.
“You have to set limits,” he said. “It’s getting a little out of control.”
Rubin, a pastor and marijuana advocate, said he wouldn’t build a wall around the city, but promised changes to the city’s phone system.
“I promise you when I am mayor, you won’t have to push 1 to speak English,” Rubin said. “Our phones will be in English.”
Moore said he would repeal Special Order 40, the Los Angeles Police Department’s rule limiting the questioning of suspects and witnesses about their immigration status.
When Alvarez, a community activist and member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, said he supported making undocumented workers legal, shouting broke out among the candidates and the crowd.
“I stand with the taco trucks! I stand with the vendors,” Alvarez shouted. “Don’t force them into poverty. Don’t force them into the streets.”
The forum got so rowdy that Daily News Editorial Page Editor Mariel Garza went to the microphone to quiet down the crowd.
When the topic turned to runaway film production, the mood calmed down quite a bit until Jennerjahn said he wouldn’t support Alvarez, if he were the only candidate left against Villaraigosa.
“I’m sorry, but ‘Taco Truck Alvarez,’ I don’t think I can support him being in charge of the city,” Jennerjahn said.
Clearly offended, Alvarez said he wouldn’t answer the next question about neighborhood councils until Jennerjahn apologized.
“It was just a little joke,” Jennerjahn said to Alvarez. “I’m sorry if you took offense.”
The forum also had some lighter moments, thanks to Moore.
When the candidates were asked if they would consider supporting another candidate if that person had a better chance at defeating Villaraigosa, Moore quipped: “If I get hit by a bus, vote for Hernandez.”
Moore then turned to Hernandez and deadpanned: “I don’t want any of your supporters renting a bus.”
Asked to cite something positive Villaraigosa’s administration had done, several candidates reluctantly admitted that a recent measure to protect renters during foreclosures was beneficial.
In addition to Villaraigosa, the other no-shows were mayoral candidates Gordon Turner, deputy city attorney, and James Harris, union meat packer.
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