<i> Focus </i> : Alarcon Is 1st Latino From Valley on Council

In a surprise victory in the race to represent the northeast San Fernando Valley, Richard Alarcon became the third Latino on the 15-member L.A. City Council last month. Alarcon, 39, who worked as an aide to former Mayor Tom Bradley, credited his success to grass-roots support and said he hopes “to get the community involved in solving its problems.” In filling Ernani Bernardi’s seat, Alarcon became the first Latino elected to the Council from the San Fernando Valley. He represents the 7th District, the population of which is 70% Latino after redistricting last year. Alarcon graduated from Cal State Northridge in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He, his wife and their four children live in Mission Hills.