Feuer, Yaroslavsky Square Off in Heated Debate : Election: Candidates for City Council seat in Los Angeles’ 5th District focus on campaign funding and tactics in a wide-ranging, televised exchange.

Fifth-district City Council candidates Mike Feuer and Barbara Yaroslavsky sought to define themselves and each other Friday in a debate that touched on such diverse topics as campaign financing, election-year mudslinging and the controversy surrounding Police Chief Willie L. Williams.

Gearing up for the June 6 runoff, Feuer and Yaroslavsky appeared face to face on a cable access program in Santa Monica and quickly took advantage of the venue to point out flaws in each other while trying to promote themselves to potential voters.

Bill Rosendahl, moderator of the Century Cable program, began the forum by giving both candidates the opportunity to compliment each other. But after a brief exchange of pleasantries, the debate grew heated when Rosendahl asked them to point out their differences.

Yaroslavsky drew first blood, criticizing Feuer for accepting about $173,000 in city matching funds to help pay for his campaign--money that she said could be used to “put more officers on the streets.”

Feuer defended his use of matching funds, saying the taxpayer-funded program has been supported by voters. He fired back, saying that, if elected, Yaroslavsky would face a conflict of interest in dealing with the county because her husband, Zev, is a county supervisor.

Yaroslavsky responded by saying that her marriage to a member of the Board of Supervisors may actually benefit the city. “Maybe that is one supervisor who will return my call,” she joked.

The two also traded barbs over the city’s Board of Public Works, an appointed citizens panel that oversees several city departments. Yaroslavsky said the panel should be eliminated to save money, but Feuer said the board is needed to manage important projects, such as the cleanup of Santa Monica Bay.

The two candidates also accused each other of spreading false information in campaign literature. After Feuer accused Yaroslavsky of misrepresenting his positions, he tried to change the subject, saying, “I think the voters are tired of this negativism.” But Yaroslavsky said she has focused on campaign tactics because they show the integrity of a candidate.

Rosendahl asked the two to comment on the controversy surrounding allegations that Police Chief Williams lied to the Police Commission about accepting free accommodations during trips to Las Vegas.

Yaroslavsky said she could not comment on the situation without further information. But she criticized the media, saying, “I think the press should focus more on what’s happening here than what is happening in Las Vegas.”

Feuer also said he needed more information about the allegations. But he suggested that if the commission concludes that Williams lied, he should be punished in the same manner as a rank-and-file officer under the same situation.

Meanwhile, the pace of fund raising showed no letup as Yaroslavsky and Feuer headed toward a June 6 runoff with a combined total of more than $357,000, according to campaign statements filed Thursday.

Yaroslavsky collected $176,400 as of May 20, according to the statements. In the primary, she raised more than $412,000, leading all City Council candidates.

But after spending about $119,200 on campaign literature, postage, consultants and other costs, Yaroslavsky had $56,000 on hand as of May 20, according to the statements.

Feuer, the former head of a legal services clinic, raised $107,500 toward his runoff campaign, in addition to accepting $73,400 in city matching funds, according to the statements. In the primary, he raised $308,000, including $100,000 in matching funds. Yaroslavsky has declined to accept matching funds.

After spending $75,105 for his own literature and consultants, Feuer had $105,800 on hand, according to the statements. But the statements show he still has $52,400 in unpaid bills.

The district stretches from the San Fernando Valley to the Westside, including communities such as Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys, Westwood, Brentwood, Fairfax and Beverlywood.