Other Incumbents Backed : Business Group Snubs Picus in Endorsements

A prominent San Fernando Valley business group has endorsed all Los Angeles City Council members facing opposition in the April 9 election except the West Valley’s Joy Picus. The group is backing Jeanne Nemo, one of Picus’ five opponents.

The endorsement by the conservative San Fernando Valley Business and Professional Assn. is not altogether surprising because Nemo is a member of the group’s board. She said she voted for herself, but that her vote wasn’t the deciding one.

Nemo also is promoting herself as the Republican candidate in the nonpartisan race against Picus, who is a registered Democrat. The association, which lists among its objectives “preservation of the free enterprise system,” has been a supporter of Republican Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaigns.

Democrats Included

The association, nonetheless, endorsed Council members Ernani Bernardi of the mid-Valley and Peggy Stevenson of the Hollywood area. Both are registered Democrats. It endorsed northeast Valley Councilman Howard Finn, a registered independent, and Harbor area Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, a Republican.

The association also endorsed Councilman John Ferraro for mayor. It opposed Charter Amendment 1, which would limit contributions to candidates for city office.

The group voted on the endorsements at its March 12 meeting. It made its decision on the Picus race after the five challengers showed up for interviews but the councilwoman didn’t.

‘Show of Arrogance’

“I think they felt it was a show of arrogance on her part,” said Larry Calemine, vice president of the association, who is a real estate investor from Woodland Hills.

Calemine would not disclose the vote on the endorsement but said it was close between Nemo and Matt Lynch, another Picus challenger.

Picus said she thought it would have been a “total waste of time” for her to have tried to obtain the group’s endorsement.

“It’s not an organization that would support what I stand for,” she said. She declined to offer any specifics.

Significance Dismissed

Picus also dismissed the significance of the endorsement.

“They’re not a particularly influential group,” she said.

However, Nemo said, “I think it’s quite a coup, being the only challenger they endorsed.”

The group’s president, Clark Drane, declined to provide figures on the group’s membership. He said the endorsement carries no financial support for the candidate. However, the group has published 50,000 pamphlets listing its endorsements.