SOUTHWESTERN VALLEY : Laura Chick Moves Toward Council Bid

Laura Chick, a former aide to Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus, on Monday filed a declaration that she intends to raise money for a campaign to run for the seat held by Picus, whose term expires June 30, 1993.

Chick, 48, was a field deputy in Picus’ office from 1988 until 1991.

Picus, who has served four terms representing the 3rd District in the southwestern San Fernando Valley, also has filed a declaration allowing her to raise money for a reelection campaign. The declaration is a legal requirement for city candidates.

But Picus also has said she might instead run for mayor or a seat on the County Board of Supervisors.

Chick, in an August interview in which she expressed interest in running for Picus’ seat, was critical of Picus’ opposition to the expansion of the Warner Center complex and contended that Picus was inept in her efforts to block the controversial Warner Ridge project.

Chick confirmed Tuesday that she and her husband, Robert, president of the city Board of Airport Commissioners, have moved into a townhouse in the 3rd District that they purchased in mid-September. Previously they were residents of Sherman Oaks, which would have made her ineligible to run in the 3rd District.