THE LOW-DOWN ON THE TOWN Impudent, uncensored account By C. Castle

Assemblywoman Galanter?

Could a jump from the Los Angeles City Council to the California Assembly be weighing on the mind of City Councilperson Ruth Galanter? That's the rumor. And we're being told it's only that -- a rumor.

Parke Skelton, the political consultant who has run Galanter's campaigns in the past, denies suggestions that the Westside councilmember has plans to run for the 41st Assembly District and take over from Assemblywoman Sheila Keuhl, D-Encino. However, Galanter also made it clear several months ago that she is not planning a run for City Controller - a position she had said she wanted.

Not this, not that…what will she do next? Well, it may look unlikely, but there's no reason to completely discount Galanter entirely from the Assembly race despite her consultant's comments.

In elections, almost anything can happen and almost everyone is worried about talking too early. Word leaked about Galanter almost as fast as the e-mail went out among Santa Monica political insiders, an oh-my-God(dess) notice announcing that the councilwoman's name had appeared on a list of possible candidates during a Democratic Club meeting to discuss the 41st Assembly seat.

Certainly, it is possible that a member of the club could have thrown in Galanter's name without the councilwoman even knowing it. But if Galanter really is talking about entering the race, her decision could be like a jack hammer splitting Santa Monicans for Renters Rights. Some members of the political organization's leadership are likely to support Galanter. Among them could be SMRR co-chair Denny Zane.

A consultant, Zane's main client is the contingent of Southern California cities and public agencies that has formed a coalition to fight LAX expansion. Galanter is one of the strongest voices and a key political figure opposed to the project.

Meanwhile, Tony Vazquez -- a former SMRR-backed City Councilmember -- is also among the six candidates whose names are on the Democratic Club's list of 41st Assembly District possibilities. Vazquez is Latino, which may win him support from the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees, Local 814, and he has long-time friends in SMRR.

"It could be divisive," said one member of SMRR's women's caucus. "(Vazquez) has a great deal to offer. However, my usual tendency is to look at women candidates first."

Galanter has earned more enemies than friends on the Santa Monica City Council over concessions she has made on the Playa Vista development project. Still, being a woman -- and taking over from a woman -- can't hurt her chances.

"She hasn't made any decision on her future at all," said a top aide to Galanter.

Dialing for Mayor

Mayor Pam O'Connor joined the mayors of West Hollywood, Culver City and Beverly Hills at a Westside Urban Forum breakfast the morning after the California Utilities Board scraped 11-digit dialing for calls within the 310 calling area. So in a sense, it was a celebration of sorts.

But perhaps none was in a more upbeat mood than O'Connor, who viewed the California Utilities Board decision as a practical victory of sorts. You see, O'Connor never bothered to reprogram her quick dialing system to include the 310 preface.

Some might say she was being lazy, but we choose to think it was something else altogether. We think the mayor maybe sensed all along there would be no need to add those four numbers.