Bernardi Takes Charge in Debate With 6 Foes Before Audience of 25

Los Angeles City Councilman Ernani Bernardi came out slugging Wednesday night in his first--and possibly only--appearance with his six challengers in Tuesday’s election for the seat representing the northeast San Fernando Valley’s 7th District.

Instead of waiting for his opponents to attack, Bernardi went on the offensive before an audience of about 25, who barely outnumbered the candidates at a political forum sponsored by the NAACP in Pacoima.

He criticized his opponents for portraying Pacoima as a crime-plagued, run-down community.

“This is a fine community,” he said. “Yes, it has problems, and we’re addressing them.”

Bernardi used the forum to announce the opening Friday of his first field office in Pacoima. He also vigorously defended his record on fighting crime and controlling growth.

Bernardi lashed out at his leading challenger, Lyle Hall, for fighting pension reform when Hall was president of the Los Angeles city firefighters union. Bernardi contended that pension reform, which he sponsored, has saved the city millions of dollars.

“If Mr. Bernardi says there’s a lot of money in City Hall, why hasn’t that money come to the district?” challenger Irene Tovar asked.

Hall pledged if elected to establish a citizens committee in each community to advise him on every proposed new building that requires council approval.

Bernardi said he is preparing to establish such a committee to advise him on development plans for each community, but he prefers to consult with residents of affected neighborhoods on specific projects.

Challenger James Braun promised if elected to halt all construction in the district until a new development plan can be prepared.

Barry Gribs, another challenger, said he would fight crime by providing “positive reinforcement” to gang members.

“Instead of more police, we need therapists,” he said. “Instead of jails, we need drug treatment facilities.”

Jules S. Bagneris III questioned whether Bernardi has fought aggressively enough to close Lopez Canyon Landfill, to restore a lake in the Hansen Dam recreation area and to kill the proposed Nancy Reagan Center for drug rehabilitation in Lake View Terrace.

“Let’s for once stop our area from becoming the dumping ground for Los Angeles,” Bagneris said.

Hall, without mentioning Bernardi’s name, said the district “needs someone who can work with the other councilmen.” He was referring to Bernardi’s reputation as a maverick on the council.

“If you feel the quality of life in our community is just as good as it is in Sherman Oaks, then reelect the councilman,” said challenger Al Dib.

On crime, Bernardi pointed out that he had secured funding to install a wrought-iron fence around the crime-plagued San Fernando Gardens housing project and said he will seek to require all new apartment buildings in the district to install similar security measures.