Council, School Board Races : Incumbents Enjoy Hefty Lead in Funding

The three City Council members representing the San Fernando Valley--Ernani Bernardi, Howard Finn and Joy Picus--have far more campaign money than their challengers in the upcoming city election, according to the latest financial disclosure reports.

Picus raised $114,680 from Jan. 1 through Feb. 23, the period covered by the report. She has spent $66,715 on campaign activities. Because she had funds left from last year’s fund-raising efforts, she reported having $162,835 left to spend on the final month of campaigning before the April 9 election.

Of Picus’ five challengers, Matt Lynch had raised the most--$29,681. Of that, $22,546 was left for the final month of the campaign.

Ties to Republicans

Another Picus challenger Jeanne Nemo raised $23,664, of which she still has $15,659. Nemo, who has been relying on her ties to the Republican Party for support in the nonpartisan race, received a $10,000 loan from Fred Lyte, a big contributor to GOP candidates. Other Republican supporters of Nemo include Richard Gulbranson, $250; Julian Virtue, $200, and Margaret Brock, $100.

Gil Eisner raised $9,777 and has $1,252, and Jon Lorenzen had raised $1,230 and has $71 left. Gary Klein failed to file a report by last Thursday’s deadline. He said he needed to obtain additional information on the addresses and occupations of his contributors before filing the forms.

Finn reported only a $1,000 contribution since Jan. 1. He decided not to solicit any contributions this year. But because he, like Picus, had considerable money left unspent from last year’s fund-raising efforts, he reported having $158,199 left to spend on the final month of campaigning.

Of Finn’s three opponents, Noel Horwin raised the most--$6,432, with $76 unspent.

Contributions Not Accepted

Another Finn opponent Elton (Skip) Michael reported raising $2,183 and has $874 left. Louis Cichelli, another Finn opponent, wrote on his form, “I will not receive contributions or make expenditures on behalf of my candidacy.”

Bernardi, who represents the mid-Valley, reported raising $35,925. One of his two opponents, Paul Goldener, reported raising $425. Bernardi’s other opponent, Marty Israel, did not file a report.

In the most hotly contested local race, David Armor, drawing on Republican support in a nonpartisan race, has raised nearly as much as the other six candidates combined for an open West Valley seat on the Los Angeles school board.

Armor reported raising $13,250.

Council candidates traditionally generate substantially more in contributions than school board candidates because of their broader responsibilities. Nevertheless, fund raising by the West Valley school board candidates is an important sign of support in the wide open race for the seat being vacated by Tom Bartman.

$1,000 Contributions

The reports show Armor, who lost his 1982 challenge against Rep. Anthony Beilenson (D-Tarzana), received $1,000 each from Brock, Gulbranson and Virtue.

In contrast, the next biggest fund-raiser was Betty Blake, with $6,599. Contributions to other school board candidates: Claude Parrish, $2,250; Elizabeth Ginsburg, $1,655; Carie Vacar, $1,387; Carolyn Brent, $1,218, and Robert Worth, $535.

In the East Valley school board race, incumbent Roberta Weintraub reported raising $48,063, and her opponent, Mary Longoria, reported raising $9,645.