Forum to Include All 5 Mayoral Candidates

All five mayoral candidates will meet Tuesday in a forum sponsored by supporters of the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging.

The forum, set to begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Skirball Cultural Center, brings the candidates face-to-face with business leaders and fellow politicians from the San Fernando Valley, said Karyn Palmer, vice president of programs for the Executives, the forum’s host. Admission is $25 for nonmembers.

“This is such an important race because who the mayor is affects everybody,” Palmer said. The Executives, which raises money for the Jewish Home, is not a political action group, she said.

All five candidates--U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra, City Atty. James Hahn, businessman Steve Soboroff, Assemblyman Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilman Joel Wachs--have confirmed their intentions to attend, Palmer said. Wachs and Soboroff are members of the 300-member organization.

Bill Rosendahl, Southern California regional president for the cable operator Adelphia and a TV talk show host, will moderate the forum. The Rampart police scandal, affordable housing and reducing traffic congestion will be key issues, Rosendahl said.

“The code of silence on the force and how the police do their work are going to continue to be issues because [Police Chief Bernard] Parks has a year left as chief,” said Rosendahl, who has interviewed each of the candidates on his show. “I’m going to have to ask each of the candidates how they will deal with [Parks] and the scandal if they become mayor.”

Rosendahl said he also will read questions submitted by audience members and allow candidates to question each other.

The forum is open to the public, but reservations are required. For more information or to RSVP, call the Jewish Home, (818) 774-3331.