Miscikowski Backs Krisiloff in Council Race

Outgoing Los Angeles City Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski said Wednesday that she was endorsing Flora Gil Krisiloff in the three-way race to replace her in the 11th District.

Miscikowski credited Krisiloff’s expertise in land-use planning and development as the main reason for her decision.

“You are sometimes getting more project applications thrown at you than the rest of the city combined,” said Miscikowski, who is being forced out by term limits. “It’s important that she can hit the ground running with her knowledge and skill.”

Krisiloff has served as the president of the Brentwood Community Council since 1999 and was the president of the West Los Angeles Area Planning Commission in 2003 and 2004.

She is running against Bill Rosendahl, a college instructor, and Angela Reddock, an attorney. Of the eight council seats up for grabs March 8, the 11th District is the only one without an incumbent on the ballot.

The 11th District covers the Westside, including Los Angeles International Airport, and the western Santa Monica Mountains. Development and traffic are the key issues in the election.

On the endorsement from Miscikowski, Krisiloff said, “It wasn’t an automatic kind of yes.”

“She said that she had to go through her own evaluation of the different candidates and take her time to see how the campaigns were going,” Krisiloff said. “I didn’t know if she was going to endorse me or not, but I’m thrilled that she is now going to do it.”

Rosendahl said he had been studying the issues and felt equally qualified to hold office. “Development is an issue, and it’s a disaster -- the failed planning in the past is the reason we have gridlock today,” he said.

“I’m not running against Cindy Miscikowski. She’s entitled to her opinions, but I do have the backing of many of her colleagues,” added Rosendahl, saying he has the endorsements of eight of the 15 council members.

Reddock could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

The modernization plan for LAX is the most prominent issue in the district. Miscikowski helped last year to craft a compromise to get the council’s approval of the $11-billion overhaul.

Krisiloff has rejected key elements of the plan, including the demolition of three terminals and construction of a central check-in facility.

“The airport plan is going to have a life and politics of its own long after I’m gone,” said Miscikowski, who said she was comfortable Krisiloff could handle it. “It wasn’t the No. 1 reason or criteria for choosing Flora. My general sense about her is her maturity.”