Latinos Split Endorsements : Bernardi, Hall Both Win Backing for Council

Latino leaders split Monday over the runoff election to fill a Los Angeles City Council seat representing the northeast San Fernando Valley, some supporting incumbent Ernani Bernardi and others backing challenger Lyle Hall.

The Latino vote could be a key factor in the June 6 election because the district--changed by reapportionment in 1986--is now more than half Latino.

Absent from either list was Irene Tovar, the only Latina in the April 11 primary election, who has strong roots in the Latino community.

Tovar, who came in fourth behind Bernardi with 10% of the vote, could not be reached for comment Monday. Bernardi said he had met twice with her to try to gain her endorsement but “a few details still need to be worked out.” Hall said he hoped to meet with her soon.

Invited to Attend

Sylmar attorney Raymond Magana, who organized the news conference to announce support for Bernardi, said Tovar was among those invited to attend, but that the pro-Bernardi Latinos decided that they could not wait for her decision.

“We need to move on with the election now. We’ve got to get moving,” Magana said.

Magana said those supporting Bernardi felt that he had “rolled up his sleeves” and worked with them on such issues as removal of abandoned cars and graffiti.

“I don’t think people had heard of Lyle Hall in the Latino community prior to the primary,” Magana said. “I don’t know a single thing he has done to earn the support of the Latino community.”

But Mike Perez, a Sylmar resident and member of the Hispanic steering committee for the Hall campaign, said he thought that Bernardi had “kind of neglected our area. I haven’t seen any improvements. I feel he’s kind of been an absentee councilman.”

Carlos Trejo, also of Sylmar, said Hall would give Latinos a “larger voice in the share of city services,” such as better police protection and street maintenance. Both Perez and Trejo are firefighters in the Los Angeles Fire Department. Hall is a fire captain and former union president.

Bernardi’s endorsements included Efren Olvera, president of the Haddon-Mercer Homeowner Assn. in Pacoima; Jose de Paz, chairman of the San Fernando Valley Mexican American Political Assn.; Augie Maldonado of the Pacoima Coordinating Council, and San Fernando City Councilman Evelio Franco.

In addition to Trejo and Perez, Hall’s endorsements include Rep. Matthew G. Martinez (D-Monterey Park), Assemblyman Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles), and Jose Galvan, president of the San Fernando Council of Hispanic Affairs and immediate past president of MAPA.

Name Withdrawn

Community activist Mary Louise Longoria spoke in support of Bernardi on Monday, and her husband, Eugene, was listed as a Hall backer. However, later in the day, Eugene Longoria withdrew his name, saying he had been half-asleep when a Hall representative called him.

“I’m not against Lyle Hall, but I had supported Bernardi in the primaries,” Eugene Longoria said. “I’m not that politically attuned. I didn’t even realize Lyle was running against Bernardi. I thought it was another race.”

Magana was quick to criticize Hall’s support, pointing out that several of the people--such as Martinez and Polanco--do not live in the area. He said most of the others are not key players in the local Latino community.

“I don’t see one there that is credible, prominent and involved that is supporting Lyle Hall,” Magana said. “You’re always going to find a personal friend or some long-term acquaintance who is going to be there, whatever the race. But in terms of Latino leadership in the community, Councilman Bernardi has all the support.”

Sought Endorsements

Hall, however, said he sought the endorsements of Polanco and Martinez because they had endorsed Tovar in the April 11 election and because “they are leaders in speaking out and fighting for Hispanic causes.”

He argued that split Latino endorsements are “a healthy sign. . . . I think it’s just a sign that the Hispanic leadership in the community is in fact mature and evolving to the point that they analyze the candidate.”

Last week, Bernardi received the endorsement of Arleta activist Al Dib, who held third place in the primary with 12% of the vote. Dib, the only Republican in the race, said that Bernardi has “love, feeling and care for our community” and that Hall did not have a community track record.

Barry Gribs, a mental health counselor who finished second to last, has endorsed Hall. The Rev. Jules S. Bagneris III of Lake View Terrace, who placed fifth, has not endorsed anyone.