Ballot Recommendations

Here are The Times’ endorsements in elections in the city of Los Angeles and Orange County today:

Charter Reform

Yes on Measure 1.

Los Angeles voters have a once-in-a- generation chance to make City Hall work for them, not for the politicians. Right now, many of those politicians, especially City Council President John Ferraro and others on the council, are doing all they can to kill reform: lobbying and twisting arms, espe- cially among the leadership of city-employee unions. Opponents in City Hall are more interested in hoarding power and doling out favors than in better government. Voters should ignore the self-serving opposition and serve themselves with a yes vote on the new city charter, Measure 1. Charter reform supporters include the League of Women Voters and a long roster of prominent civic groups and religious leaders. The new, slimmer charter is not perfect, but it would make city government more responsive to citizens. Vote yes for more accountable government.

Yes on Charter Amendments 2 and 4.

Two charter-related ballot items also deserve approval. Amendment 2 would reform the drawing of school board districts for the Los Angeles Unified School District; it is listed as a separate item only because the LAUSD covers more than the city of Los Angeles. Both Charter Amendments 3 and 4 would increase the size of the City Council in order to give voters better representation, which is sorely needed. Charter Amendment 4, calling for a 25-member council, is superior to Amendment 3’s 21-member council because it would bring Los Angeles to about 136,000 residents per council member, in contrast to the current, impossibly huge districts of 250,000 residents each. At least that much change is needed.

City Council Runoffs

District 7: Alex Padilla.

At 26, Padilla is untested, but his stands on issues of vital importance to his district and to the city make him the stronger candidate in the runoff for this open seat. Padi- lla’s “let’s-make-things-work” approach tops Corinne Sanchez’s penchant for breaking things apart, whether the problem is government, transportation or schools.

District 10: Madison T. Shockley

Shockley understands that success lies in uniting the diverse 10th District community and in his ability to work effectively with others on the City Council. Nate Holden, the longtime, controversial incumbent, has lost the respect of several of his council colleagues and therefore has weakened his ability to be effective for the district.

District 14: Victor Griego

Griego is The Times’ choice for his impressive record of community involvement, voter registration work and helping elect other worthy politicians. Griego’s plans for the 14th District are detailed and well thought out, and his civic background speaks volumes about his readiness for the council seat. His opponent, prosecutor Nick Pacheco, is well versed on crime issues but needs a broader perspective.

Los Angeles Schools

L.A. Unified School District: Genethia Hayes in District 1.

Hayes forced incumbent Barbara Boudreaux into a runoff for a good reason: Parents and other voters in this district, covering South and Central L.A., are fed up with empty rhetoric and want the substantive reforms that Hayes can help provide. She would join other reformers to make a new majority on the now clearly dysfunctional board.

Community Colleges: Sylvia Scott-Hayes in Office 1, Mona Field in Office 3.

The Los Angeles Community College District will need sharp, independent board members to fully realize its role in creating an educated work force. A distinguished educator, Scott-Hayes is the choice for Office 1 over her opponent, Nancy Pearlman, who has failed to detail any viable reforms. In Office 3, Field is far more politically and educationally savvy than opponent Julia Wu, who, as a member of the district’s board in the last dozen years, helped cause the fiscal and educational crisis from which it is struggling to recover.

Orange County Schools

Brea: Yes on Measure K.

Passage would authorize $27 million in needed bonds for the Brea Olinda Unified School District to repair or improve aging schools and equipment and make the district eligible for nearly $11 million in matching state funds. Campaigns for school bond measures in Orange County have not always sought adequate grass-roots support, but Brea officials have enlisted the community to meet the tough two-thirds standard for passage.