Timing is everything.Early in 1987, after Los...

Timing is everything.

Early in 1987, after Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn suffered a stroke, colleague Pete Schabarum--an often-bitter foe--proposed asking the state to rename the Baldwin Hills State Recreation Area after Hahn.

Supervisor Ed Edelman--a liberal ally of Hahn--objected, saying that such a move might imply that the supervisors were easing Hahn out the door. Even a spokesman for Hahn acknowledged later that “Kenny, at the time in a hospital bed, and political workhorse that he is, was a bit troubled by the timing.”

Hahn now realizes that the eventual renaming was a “sincere gesture,” the spokesman said. At the same time, the 68-year-old supervisor has won reelection and has indicated no desire to retire.

But Schabarum, coincidentally, is now said to be talking of leaving the board when his term runs out in 1990, partly out of dismay over being passed over for the secretary of transportation post by President-elect Bush.

So, Hahn proposed on Tuesday the renaming of Otterbein Regional Park in Rowland Heights and Skyline Trail near Diamond Bar after . . . Pete Schabarum.

Edelman seconded the motion, which passed.

Everyone agreed it was a wonderful gesture.

Later in the session, while debating another matter, Schabarum angrily accused Edelman of suffering from “male menopause.”

Critics cite two theories for the origin of the Century Freeway’s name: (1) It’s costing about $100 million per mile to build, and, (2) It may take 100 years to finish. (Actually, it’s only been 31 years since Congress authorized construction of the controversial 17.3-mile route, which is scheduled to open in 1993, more or less.)

One odd aspect of the project has been the inability of authorities to find people willing to move into replacement housing created for residents whose homes were in the freeway’s path. Rows of new, boarded-up units are the result.

Now, for the latest absurdity: Sighted the other day in one such area, near Imperial Boulevard, was a carrier methodically tossing a free, local (i.e. “throw-away”) newspaper to the vacant houses.

“Elect Dukakis President,” says a billboard atop an East Los Angeles business along the Santa Ana Freeway. Is it the message of a supporter awaiting a recount? Or the first salvo of the 1992 campaign?

Neither, says James Abbott of Coast Advertising. “We’ve just had a little down time,” he said, meaning no one’s rented out the space since the Democrats. Abbott conceded that the outdated message, which will be replaced soon, “probably doesn’t look too swift.”

No syrupy holiday sentiment on the marquee of a chain hardware store in West Los Angeles. Just one comforting thought: WE HAVE HEATERS.

Post offices are known for their exhibitions of photos of undesirable characters. Now, the downtown Terminal Annex is posting a list of undesirable local intersections.

“The station manager is telling people this is where you need to be aware that the most vehicle accidents occur, according to the city,” said spokesman Larry Dozier.

Figueroa Street gets three demerits, at its intersections with 6th and 3rd streets and with Manchester Boulevard. Western Avenue gets two, at its crossings with Sunset and Olympic boulevards. Others: Vermont Avenue and 8th Street, Maple Avenue and 9th Street, Normandie Avenue and Washington Boulevard.

An outbreak of “pick-pocketing activities” has forced the theater’s management to “recommend that you do not leave any personal items on the auditorium floor or in an empty seat,” a sign in the lobby said. “All purses should be kept in your lap . . . “

A warning from some crime-ridden area? Actually, the theater’s located in that paradise of cookie stores and T-shirt emporiums . . . Westwood.