TUJUNGA - As election season winds down, five of the nine candidates hoping to dethrone Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took some jabs at the well-financed incumbent at a mayoral forum in Tujunga Sunday afternoon.
Sunday's forum was yet another debate at which the mayor was a no-show. During a recent editorial board meeting with the Daily News, Villaraigosa said his campaign would focus on his achievements and he would not debate the mayoral challengers.
On Sunday morning, Villaraigosa did attend a meeting of San Fernando Valley Democrats in Northridge, an event that was more focused on hopefuls for the 2010 governor's race.
Attorney Walter Moore, who has raised the most money of all the mayoral challengers, said Villaraigosa is "terrified and hiding."
Candidates can get city matching funds once they raise $150,000, but they must debate other candidates who have reached the same fundraising goal.
Moore has raised $220,000 while Villaraigosa has raised more than $2 million.
"I'm the only other candidate, besides Villaraigosa, who has qualified for matching funds," Moore told a crowd of about 20 people at the forum organized by the mayorsam politics blog. "He would rather give up 700 grand than confront me."
Phil Jennerjahn, an actor and self-described conservative, disagreed with Moore, saying Villaraigosa wasn't afraid.
"I don't think the mayor is smart. I don't think he is talented,"
David Hernandez, executive director of the San Fernando Chamber of Commerce, said he didn't need the mayor to show up.
"I am honored to be here with everyone here," Hernandez said. "And I don't need him to complete me."
Craig X. Rubin, a pastor and medical marijuana supporter, criticized Villaraigosa for having an affair that led to a divorce from his wife, Corina.
"The guy should not be the leader of the City of Angels," Rubin said.
Ron Kaye, editor of Ron Kaye L.A. and former Daily News editor, was the forum's moderator. His fellow panelists were Debbie Lopez, contributor to a local blog called Street Hassle, and Jill Stewart, deputy editor of L.A. Weekly.
In addition to Villaraigosa's absence, the candidates tackled issues including the Los Angeles Unified School District, illegal billboards, the city's impending budget deficit, affordable housing and the mainstream media's treatment of Villaraigosa.
Lopez asked the candidates if they spoke Spanish and if they had anything to say to Spanish-speaking voters. All but Moore spoke in Spanish to ask for votes.
When discussing illegal billboards, Moore said the city needs a ban on new billboards and needs to take down illegal ones.
"The city instead of regulating billboards has gone into the billboard business," Moore said.
Mayoral candidates Carlos Alvarez, Gordon Turner, Bruce Darian and James Harris did not attend Sunday's forum.