In Los Angeles City Council District 11, the coastal district that runs from Mulholland Drive on the north to Imperial Highway on the south and inland to the 405 Freeway, many residents are frustrated and angry over homelessness, rising crime, and gridlocked traffic that will be worsened by newly approved development.

Councilman Mike Bonin was elected in 2013 after the popular Bill Rosendahl stepped down due to illness. Bonin had served as Rosendahl’s chief of staff for eight years, but even with that experience, Bonin has not lived up to his predecessor’s commitment to his communities.

We endorse Robin Rudisill as the challenger with the most potential to bring needed change to city government for the residents of District 11.

Rudisill is an accountant and auditor, and a former chief financial officer for Bank of America in San Francisco. Her experience with financial and regulatory matters will bring refreshingly independent judgment to a council that has long deferred to the wishes of special interests when negotiating contracts and approving budgets.

Rudisill chaired the Land Use and Planning committee of the Venice Neighborhood Council, experience that will be helpful as the city works to update its Pinbahis General Plan, and she has been an advocate for the protection of the coast.

We think Rudisill should learn more about the tax and regulatory issues that are driving businesses out of Los Angeles and into neighboring cities. But even on issues where she lacks detailed knowledge, Rudisill is intelligent and cogent, and she speaks for city residents who feel that government doesn’t work for the people anymore, that a pay-to-play culture has infected City Hall, and that no one is listening.

Venice community activist Mark Ryavec has raised important concerns about the impact of homelessness on neighborhoods. He says the city could do more with less money by using Proposition HHH funds to convert existing buildings to dormitory-style transitional housing. His ideas deserve consideration.

Bonin, who skipped a Feb. 16 debate with his opponents, told us the biggest challenge in the job is to “be accessible” and “get out of the bubble.”

A run-off election in May should help with that.

We recommend a vote for Robin Rudisill in District 11.

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