A TRANSIT TALE OF TWO REGIONS; SANTA CLARITA BICKERS AS A.V. UNITES IN MTA BID.

Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer

With neighboring Santa Clarita council members squabbling among themselves, Lancaster and Palmdale officials have united to back Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts for the north Los Angeles County seat on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board.

Trying to secure the Antelope Valley more clout in deciding how millions of dollars in transportation money is spent annually, Roberts is seeking the seat being vacated in April by Glendale Mayor Larry Zarian, who represents 12 cities from Malibu to La Canada Flintridge to Lancaster.

``It looks like I have a strong chance, but you never know until after the vote,'' Roberts said Thursday. ``MTA is a big, valuable group to be on. We're mixing with the top people in the region.''

Mayors of the 12 cities are expected to meet in March to select a nominee to represent them. The nominee's selection would have to be ratified by a vote of mayors of all Los Angeles County cities, a vote that could take place in April.

Roberts believes he would be a strong candidate because he has a feel for the transportation needs in the region and because he has worked with other communities through such groups as the League of California Cities.

Also seeking the post is Santa Clarita Councilman Frank Ferry, whose name is being put forward after a 3-2 City Council vote. Santa Clarita Councilwoman Jill Klajic, however, is lobbying against Ferry, having sent out letters to other mayors asking them to support fellow Councilwoman Jan Heidt.

The voting is weighted by population, one vote for each 10,000 population. The selection committee has a total of 80 votes, meaning a nominee will need 41 votes.

Lancaster has 13 votes. With the support of Palmdale, which has 12 votes, Roberts is just 16 votes from securing the nomination.

``Antelope Valley needs representation on MTA,'' said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford. ``We need a voice. We're a fast-growing, emerging region.''

The northern county seat also represents Glendale, with 20 votes; Santa Clarita, 14 votes; Burbank, 10 votes; Agoura Hills, two votes; Calabasas, two votes; Hidden Hills, one vote; La Canada Flintridge, two votes; Malibu, one vote; San Fernando, two votes; and Westlake Village, one vote.

Among its functions, the MTA handles State Transportation Improvement Plan funding. The MTA's handling of that money has generated criticism from cities that complained the agency has stripped away money they would have received in order to shore up the financing of Los Angeles' subway system.