Running Overtime : Bagneris on the Move 21 Hours a Day Campaigning for 7th Council District

The story of one long-shot candidate’s tireless day of campaigning in the Los Angeles City Council’s diverse 7th District on Sunday can be told largely through its sounds.

Jules Bagneris III hit the trail at 8 a.m. amid soulful Gospel music and rousing preaching at a large central Los Angeles church whose services are broadcast live on AM radio. Then, a sermon and liturgy in Spanish followed a high-speed freeway dash to Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Pacoima. And in the early afternoon, country and Western music was the backdrop to a campaign stop at a Lake View Terrace gathering of horse lovers.

A sharp-suited Bagneris, thought to need a miracle to succeed in his quest to defeat long-time incumbent Ernani Bernardi in Tuesday’s election, nonetheless ran hard throughout 21 hours of last-chance campaigning in the northeast San Fernando Valley district.

Idealistic, well-spoken, handsome and hard-working, Bagneris, 28, is but one of six challengers seeking to unseat Bernardi, who has been on the City Council seven terms--as long as Bagneris has been alive.

Bagneris has taken populist positions in favor of closing the Lopez Canyon Landfill, keeping the Phoenix House drug treatment program out of Lake View Terrace and refilling the lake at Hansen Dam. But his day on the campaign trail illustrates the pitfalls that afflict back-of-the-pack challengers for local political offices, as well as the idealism that drives them to run.

Still optimistic despite the long odds, he told his audiences that he would be elected and begin reversing the neglect that has allowed the 7th District to become a dumping ground for the city’s ills. But he also told a reporter that he defined winning as “making a difference” and said “we have done that” by airing issues important to the community.

Awake until 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning, Bagneris was back on his feet at his Lake View Terrace home three hours later. By 7:45 a.m. dressed in a dark suit, bright red tie and matching handkerchief, he was at Brookin’s Community African Methodist Episcopal Church. The church bills itself as “the fastest growing church in Los Angeles.”

Bagneris, an A.M.E. minister and the son of an A.M.E. minister, sat in front of the smiling, robed choir, swaying in his chair as the music swelled. A verse from the day’s Gospel seemed appropriate: “Oh Lord . . . I pray thee send me Godspeed this day.”

When he was introduced by the Rev. T. Larry Kirkland about 9:30 a.m., Bagneris said: “Brothers and sisters, say, ‘Amen.’ ” “Amen” came the reply.

“Say ‘Amen’ again,” Bagneris said. “Amen,” came the reply again.

“Say ‘Amen’ one more time,” the candidate repeated. And again the full-house congregation obliged.

“Once for the Father and once for the Son and once for the blessed Holy Ghost,” the candidate said.

Then, after a mini-sermon on the importance of role models and a plea for support on Tuesday, Bagneris was out the door and onto the Harbor Freeway heading toward Pacoima at speeds approaching 75 m.p.h.

The rental car zipped in and out of traffic, with Bagneris’ campaign manager, Lewis Snow, at the wheel. When they arrived at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in the heart of the San Fernando Gardens housing project about 10:30 a.m., listening congregants spilled out each of the small church’s doors.

The sermon--delivered in a musical Spanish rhythmically similar to the preaching at Brookin’s church--was in full swing. But the church minister who had agreed to let Bagneris appear could not be found.

Precious time was slipping away and he did not want to disturb the worshipers. A quick decision was made: keep moving.

In existence only two years, the award-winning choir at the Lake View Terrace Baptist Church entered the church sanctuary in full song, blue robes moving with the music. The church’s Rev. Alton G. Rozar has been, with Bagneris, a staunch opponent of the Phoenix House drug treatment program proposed to be established nearby.

Inspired by the choir, Bagneris told the congregation “there’s a freedom train a-coming, but you’ve got to vote in order to ride.” He said the experts expect a low voter turnout Tuesday, making it possible for a candidate to win with as few as 8,000 votes.

“This is a victory that is assured . . . because God is a way maker,” he said.

On to the studios of radio station KGIL in San Fernando for a noontime candidates’ forum. All of the challengers showed up. The incumbent participated by telephone. Bagneris drew the first opportunity to speak.

“Our people need to be able to be secure in the homes in which they live,” he said in his opening statement. “They need to be able to walk down the streets without being accosted by the drug traffickers. They need to be confident that the air they’re breathing is clean and the water they are drinking isn’t contaminated by the toxins coming from the Lopez Canyon Landfill. Our campaign has dealt with the fact that our quality of life is threatened.”

There was little disagreement among the other challengers--Irene Tovar, Lyle Hall, James Braun, Al Dib, Barry Gribs. They all attacked Bernardi for what they said is his lack of leadership. They all said it is time for a change.

Bernardi defended his record.

The next stop was a horse riding event at Hansen Dam Park for supporters of the San Fernando Rangers Sidekicks.

On the way, Bagneris and Snow second-guessed themselves. Should they have brought riding clothes? Should they stop to pick up a cowboy hat? The point quickly became moot.

After a few minutes of talking to people and handing out grocery bags that said, “With Bagneris, recycling is in the bag,” Bagneris was asked to leave.

Nancy Snider, vice president of the group, said some members had complained about the politicking. “They just want to pay attention to the . . . ride,” she said.

“That is one of the difficulties of being a challenger,” Bagneris said philosophically. “The incumbent can come and hand out literature and plaques and shake hands, but the challengers are not allowed.”

It was 1:45 p.m. and the candidate had yet to stop to eat. His voice began to sound scratchy.

The day continued. Back to campaign headquarters for a “get out the vote” strategy session. On to shake hands at a fund-raiser for mayoral candidate Nate Holden. Then to the Lake View Terrace Shopping Center to hand out literature. A meeting with precinct walkers: “Have to keep the troops moving,” he said.

A visit to the Pledgerville Senior Citizens Center, more shopping centers, precinct walking, strategy sessions and a kaffeeklatsch remained, along with nailing up campaign signs. He wouldn’t rest until after 2 a.m.

Asked why he continues to work so hard despite the slim chance of victory, Bagneris refused to even admit that he was tired.

“Because of your youth, you have a lot of vigor and you keep going forward,” he said. “You want to be able, come April 12, to get up in the morning and look at yourself in the mirror and say, “I did everything I possibly could to get Bagneris into office.”

“As long as we can say that,” he said, “then I feel we have won a victory.”