Wednesday, 4/9/97
Riordan re-elected in 2-to-1 landslide
Incumbent promises to continue down path set in 1993
By Brooke Olson
Daily Bruin Staff
Glamour and neon prevailed at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel on
Tuesday night, as a myriad of Republicans and Democrats celebrated
incumbent Mayor Richard Riordan’s victory.
Party attendees dined on cheese bits and crackers and nursed
their pricey drinks as ’80s dance music blared in the background.
Screaming over the repetitive bass of the music, partygoers
discussed attire, famous guests and, of course, Riordan.
"It’s exciting – I love elections and politics," said Mark
Mathews, 23, a Los Angeles resident who described himself as
"self-employed." "The atmosphere here just can’t compare to any
other party in the world – people are crazy."
But behind the tuxedos, lights and plastic party hats lay an air
of excitement and hope for the future of L.A. City residents
expressed a strong confidence in Riordan’s ability to lead the city
into the 21st century and cited his past achievements and desire to
complete unfinished goals as evidence for his commitment to the
City of Angels.
"I’m really excited for the future of L.A. – no one is more
prepared nor more qualified to lead us for the next four years than
Riordan," said Rick Gant, 64, a retired resident of Los Angeles.
"Our city is safer, cleaner and our students are better educated
than they were for four years.
"Obviously, that’s due to Riordan and I don’t see any reason why
the city will not continue to rise in prestige," Gant added.
Some UCLA students were equally pleased with the election
outcome and noted that although Riordan was a shoo-in for
re-election, it was important for the mayor to complete his
campaign rhetoric and return to the job.
"Riordan is clearly the best (candidate)," said Jason Steele,
chairman of the Bruin Republicans. "Los Angeles is really on the
rebound and I feel more confident with Riordan at the helm than
some radical like Hayden."
But right-wingers weren’t the only Angelenos lending support to
Riordan. Democrats also acknowledged Riordan’s accomplishments and
praised him for his ability to keep his promises.
"He’s really done a good job for the city," said Bo Handlin, 42,
a Los Angeles resident, computer programmer and registered
Democrat. "His agenda and his issues were much clearer than
Hayden’s and I really believe he’ll do a good job."
Riordan supporters said his victory reflects the remarkably good
feelings Los Angeles residents have about their mayor, a moderate
Republican who emerged from obscurity in 1993 to take over a city
plagued by the state’s highest unemployment rate, distressing crime
rates and alarming racial divisions.
Dozens of proposals long, the 1993 Riordan agenda was contained
in a campaign book titled "Turning L.A. Around." It represented
Riordan’s dual commitment to making Los Angeles safer and more
welcoming to business.
Four years later, the mayor’s record suggests that he has
accomplished much, though not all, of what he set out to do.
As promised, unemployment was reduced, down to 8.4 percent from
more than 11 percent in 1993. Since 1994, 49,000 more jobs have
been created in Los Angeles.
In addition, tourism is also back – 23.2 million people visited
the city in 1996, up 4.9 percent, and they spent $10.5 billion, up
8.2 percent.
But Riordan’s record is also dotted with unfinished business and
broken promises. The police department has grown to record numbers
– but not by the 3,000 promised by Riordan. He has also failed to
eliminate or consolidate certain city operations and has not
trimmed his staff as promised.
In some cases, the mayor’s failure to follow through can be
attributed to Riordan’s early misunderstanding of the depth of the
problems confronting the city. In others, the City Council has
resisted, and his contentious relationship with that body
occasionally has stymied his efforts.
Supporters, though, are quick to fault the red tape of
bureaucracy that exists within the City Council and remark that if,
and only if, Riordan could run the city by himself, he would
finally accomplish his goals.
"I’ve supported Riordan from the beginning and he’s a good man,"
said Paul Baron, 75, a longtime L.A. resident, as he passed out
plastic hats in support of the mayor. "He’s trying to do all he can
but his hands are tied … if he didn’t have to work with all those
other people he’d be able to get things done."
Riordan campaign workers also note that the mayor will continue
to work on his 1993 agenda, as well as attack new issues, such as
creating a viable public transportation system in the second
largest city of the nation.
"The mayor is going to fulfill his promise and put another 1,000
(police) officers on the streets," said campaign member Todd
Harris, a UCLA alumnus. "He will continue to provide L.A. residents
with safer streets as well as create more jobs."
Riordan acknowledged that some of his 1993 promises have not
been delivered, but he refused to call the failures
frustrating.
"(Los Angeles) deserves to be proud – together, we have turned
L.A. around," Riordan said in his acceptance speech Tuesday night.
"We have accomplished so much but I am not satisfied.
"We must labor even harder over the next four years … and must
settle for nothing less than constant improvement."
One of Riordan’s biggest strengths is his strong partnership
with businesses. A self-made millionaire, the native New Yorker
filled his 1993 campaign with promises to overhaul the nightmarish
web of local regulations.
According to the mayor’s office, currently about 85 percent of
permits in Los Angeles are ruled upon the same day they are filed,
and although others take far longer, the Riordan-sponsored system
has, by most accounts, helped to persuade businesses to stay and
expand.
"I applied for a permit a year ago and the process was a lot
easier than what I know other business people went through five or
six years ago," said Janet Stanson, 37, L.A. resident and
entrepreneur. "Riordan’s really been responsible for increasing
businesses confidence in L.A."
Riordan says Los Angeles’ comeback is due to his
results-oriented leadership style – a combination of jawboning
business to invest in the city and nudging bureaucrats to get out
of the way.
"The government is now more responsive and responsible, our
communities are coming together and Angelenos are feeling
empowered," Riordan said.
Whether or not Riordan will accomplish his goals remains to be
seen. But with a sound economy and confidence in Los Angeles on the
rise, many Angelenos are optimistic that the city will only
continue to improve both its economic and social standing.
At the Biltmore Hotel, though, the attendees were more intent on
partying.
"I just want to dance and drink and have a good time and not
worry about anything," said Michael Woodland, 32, a L.A. resident
and accountant.
Although Riordan was just as willing to join in the festivities,
he reminded the guests in a few closing words that they still had a
long road ahead of them.
"The election is over – tonight we celebrate, tomorrow we roll
up our sleeves and get back to work."JUSTIN WARREN/Daily Bruin
Incumbent Mayor Richard Riordan celebrates at the Biltmore Hotel
after clinching a second term.