Picus Defends Record in 1st Debate With Rivals

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus, appearing for the first time with her five challengers in Tuesday’s election, defended her record on development and police protection at a debate Wednesday night at El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills.

Picus, 58, was first elected to the council in 1977 and is running for reelection representing the 3rd District.

Challenger Jeanne Nemo, 60, a Republican activist who lost to Picus in 1985, accused the councilwoman of pursuing a liberal political agenda at the expense of added police protection. Nemo cited Picus’ sympathy for the Sanctuary Movement, which helps smuggle illegal aliens from Central America across the Mexican border and hides them in churches.

“Joy Picus, who has never supported an increase in police strength, strongly supported making L.A. a sanctuary city,” Nemo said.

Picus responded that she supported bringing the Los Angeles Police Department to 7,900 members, a strength it is expected to reach in July. She also supports increasing the police force to 10,000 officers by 1993, she said.

“I am on your side in fighting against these negative forces,” she said, referring to crime.

In the past, Picus has managed to win reelection in the conservative west San Fernando Valley district despite her reputation as a liberal Democrat.

Challenger Peter Ireland, 42, an aide to Los Angeles County Supervisor Deane Dana, criticized Picus for supporting the proposed development of an arts park in the Sepulveda Basin.

“If Mrs. Picus is reelected, I guarantee you there will be large-scale development going on in the Sepulveda Basin,” Ireland said.

Picus countered that the arts park would occupy only 60 of the basin’s 3,000 acres and would enhance public enjoyment of the area.

Picus’ other challengers are Morton Diamond, 57, a hot dog vendor; Paul M. McKellips, 30, who quit his job as vice president of an executive search firm to run for the council, and Ron Rich, 40, truck fleet manager for Metro Ford in North Hollywood.

The debate was attended by about 150 people.