Reseda Candidate Forum : Challengers Criticize Absent Picus

Five candidates for the West San Fernando Valley’s seat on the Los Angeles City Council accused incumbent Joy Picus Tuesday of lacking leadership on traffic, development, crime and mass transit issues.

Picus, a councilwoman since 1977, did not attend the forum, which was sponsored by the Reseda Community Assn.

Challengers Peter Ireland, a deputy of Los Angeles County Supervisor Deane Dana, and Jeanne Nemo, a political activist, criticized the 3rd District councilwoman’s handling of development issues.

Nemo, who accused Picus of a “total lack of leadership on any major issue,” said she flip-flops on development issues, “depending on what group she is talking to at the moment.”

Changing Valley’s Shape

Ireland said that continuing development of apartments and condominiums in neighborhoods of single-family houses is “overpowering them and changing the character and the shape of the West San Fernando Valley.”

Nemo and Ireland said they support zoning changes in West Valley development plans to slow the development of apartments and condominiums.

Sharon Schuster, Picus’ chief deputy, said Picus makes zoning decisions based on individual situations rather than in support of broad development plan changes.

Ireland and Nemo differed on the city’s expansion of the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant and a proposal to build a 60-acre arts park in the Sepulveda Basin.

Ireland said he opposed the sewage treatment plant expansion, aimed at helping the city comply with federal orders to stop contamination of Santa Monica Bay, because a larger sewage plant will allow more development. He said the Arts Park L.A. proposal to build a concert hall, outdoor performance space, natural history museum and exhibit areas would use valuable open space in the Valley.

Nemo Cites Acres

Nemo said the Arts Park would only use 60 of 2,650 acres in the basin and would be in a previously neglected area. She said the sewage plant expansion was “desperately needed.”

But Ireland, Nemo and the other challengers reserved their sharpest words for Picus. Other candidates present were Paul McKellips, marketing director of an executive search firm; Mort Diamond, a hot-dog vendor, and Ron Rich, a car and truck sales executive. Todd Landis, a sixth candidate, did not attend.

McKellips said he supports a plan that would seek discounts for teachers at local businesses. He suggested that businesses “adopt” sixth-grade minority students and help them pay for college.

Schuster said Picus was unable to attend the forum because of a personal commitment. Schuster declined to be more specific. Another aide said Picus would be willing to attend a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Association officials said they told Picus about the forum, the first in the 3rd District campaign, in December. But they said they did not send written invitations with a firm date until Jan. 30. About 75 people attended the forum at Cleveland High School. The election is April 11.