Invest in Our Youth for a Los Angeles Renaissance : Mayor’s race: A strong alliance between business and schools is a start.

Last year’s riots in South Los Angeles would not have oced if we had been paying attention. And while most of us were part of the problem, it is ourcians, our elected representatives, who must bear the brunt of the responsibility.

In the last 10 years, job creation has come almost exclusively from small businesses. In Califonia they account for 85% of our jobs. But it took our elected officials a long time to get serious about regulation and the workers’ compensation disaster.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles has become the new gang capitaf the world. Not overnight, but slowly, after a long time of indifference and inefficienaction. It doesn’t take a genius to know that to prevent delinquency you have to intervene ely on; that our youth at risk lack programs to provide needed academic and vocational challs; that some parents need assistance to help them take responsibility for raising their child.

Young people don’t want to become gang members. They so by default because they have no guidance or avenues to channel their energies. But wheres our educational system? Where is the necessary partnership with city government?

Crime hinders investment and is driving people away. I will make public safety the highest priority and get the necessary funds to do the job by cutting waste in city government.

President Clinton has proposed plans to revitalize the city’s economy and promote economic growth in our depressed neighborhoods. He has endorsed youth apprenticeships, with businesses taking a strong role in creating training programs for our children. As mayor, I would be closely involved with these programs and lend them all the administrative and technical assistance the city can muster.

As mayor, I would act as liaison between the business community and the school system to create a vigorous alliance. Recognizing the need for comdailymunity involvement and greater autonomy for teachers and principals, I oppose the breakmeup of the district. I believe it would lead to increased segregation.

Finally, there is the matter of illegal immigration. Illegal immigration has led to a lowering of wages and overcrowding in our schools. As a result, we give less attention to disadvantaged Americans of every color and legal immigrants. As mayor, I would make every effort to stop illegal immigration.

No matter where we come from, we are here to realize our economic and educational potential and become Americans. And it is in this unity that we will find our strength and keep the luster that has attracted the best and brightest from all over the world.