Council Hopefuls Debate

The involvement of Indian gaming interests in the race for the Los Angeles City Council’s 2nd District seat was a major issue during a spirited debate Friday among the three candidates.

Wendy Greuel criticized opponent Tony Cardenas for accepting a $100,000 contribution from a Native American tribe to his aborted secretary of state campaign the day before he announced he was instead running for the City Council. Cardenas’ council campaign also has received several $500 contributions from tribes, which he helped as a member of the Assembly with bills to expand gaming on tribal lands.

“We have to make sure that special interests like gambling interests do not have influence at City Hall,” Greuel said during the debate, which was taped at the studios of the Adelphia cable TV system.

Cardenas, a Democratic lawmaker from Panorama City, angrily disputed Greuel’s claim that he is beholden to gaming interests.

“I hope you stop picking on American Indians in California and focus on issues of Los Angeles,” Cardenas said.

He said he had returned the $100,000 check given by an Indian tribe to his state campaign fund, that the contribution was legal, and it was not affecting his city campaign.

“These are not gambling interests. Those are American Indians,” Cardenas said. “They have a right to give money.”

Greuel, a DreamWorks SKG executive from Van Nuys, said Cardenas has been slow to disclose how he has spent money from his state campaign, causing concern about whether it affects the city race.

The third candidate, Van Nuys businessman James Cordaro, said he has raised less than $10,000 and has received no special-interest money.

The three are competing in a Dec. 11 special election to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Councilman Joel Wachs in October to take a job heading a New York arts foundation.

The district includes much of the east San Fernando Valley, including parts of North Hollywood, Studio City, Lake View Terrace, Van Nuys and Sunland-Tujunga.

Cardenas said the main difference between him and the other candidates is that he is the only one with experience holding elected office.

“My special interests are the people I have been serving for the last five years,” Cardenas said.

The assemblyman said he will use his experience to expand the police force and improve basic city services.

Greuel also vowed to work to improve services as a way of heading off San Fernando Valley secession.

“I’m running because I believe we need an independent voice for the Valley’s fair share here in the 2nd Council District,” Greuel said.

Cordaro, the only Republican in the race, favors Valley secession because, he said, the area isn’t getting its fair share of services from the city. He called for extension of a subway or light rail line across the Valley floor.

Also Friday, Greuel filed a complaint with the city Ethics Commission, saying neither Regency Outdoor Media nor Cardenas has disclosed the cost of providing pro-Cardenas billboards in the district. A Regency official has said they were being provided by the firm as an independent expenditure, but so far no one has filed the necessary disclosure forms with the city.