Fight Over Equal Time Could Block Broadcast by Picus, Challengers

A cable television show featuring the five challengers of Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus has turned into a battle over equal time that may prevent the program from being broadcast in her west San Fernando Valley district.

The challengers complained after they were given a total of only an hour--an average of 12 minutes each--on the air Thursday after Picus had a full hour on a show taped earlier in the day.

Both shows were broadcast by Century Southwest Cable TV on the city’s Westside and in the Valley south of Ventura Boulevard, but only after the challengers signed statements waiving their rights to sue the company.

But West Valley Cablevision, which serves Picus’ 3rd District, may not broadcast either show if challengers stick to demands that their program be broadcast five times to Picus’ one.

Tom Belcher, Cablevision’s general manager, said the equal time requirement would not apply if the station broadcasts the shows on its public access channel.

Delaying Action

“But we don’t want to become embroiled in a political situation,” he said, adding that he will make a decision after watching tapes of the shows.

The dispute over equal time began when the challengers arrived at Century Cable’s studio in Santa Monica on Thursday for the one-hour show, during which they were to be interviewed by Bill Rosendahl, host of the company’s weekly public affairs program.

But 15 minutes before air time, the challengers said Picus had been on a hourlong show by herself earlier in the day, and they demanded equal time. Picus has agreed to only one face-to-face meeting with the challengers--an April 5 debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters at El Camino High School in Woodland Hills.

Rosendahl, who is also vice president of corporate affairs of Century Southwest Cable TV, delayed the show to check with the company’s attorneys. During the next hour and a half, viewers who tuned in to watch the show saw a sign reading, “Please Stand By.” The challengers, meanwhile, sat together in a small room and watched a tape of the Picus show.

Rosendahl returned and told the challengers that the company could not spare the time to give each challenger an hour on the air. So he offered them a choice: They could go on for an hour together or he would scrap their show and Picus’ show, which was scheduled to be rebroadcast.

The challengers agreed to go on for the hour.

During Picus’ show, the three-term incumbent defended her support for a continued study of a proposed light-rail line paralleling the railroad tracks on Victory and Chandler boulevards between North Hollywood and Warner Center.

The route, which has drawn strong opposition from residents concerned about noise, vibrations and the unsightliness of overhead wires, is one of several under consideration by the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission.

Candidates’ Views

During the challengers’ program, Peter Ireland, a deputy to County Supervisor Deane Dana, said he opposes building a light-rail line along Victory and Chandler boulevards. Instead, he favors a route paralleling the Southern Pacific railroad’s Coast Main Line running diagonally across the Valley from Burbank to Chatsworth.

Paul McKellips, a businessman, said he supports the Chandler-Victory route.

Jeanne Nemo, a Republican activist who ran against Picus in 1985, said she supports building the line on or next to the Ventura Freeway.

Ron Rich, a car dealer, said he decided to oppose Picus after her office failed to resolve a problem he was having with the Department of Water and Power. After leaving Picus’ office, he bumped into Councilman Richard Alatorre, who resolved the problem within 48 hours.

“All my funds come from people on the street,” said Mort Diamond, a hot dog vendor. “I don’t owe special interests any favors.”