BERNSON BATTLERS FACING LONG ODDS; INCUMBENCY, MONEY WEIGHT COUNCIL RACE.

Byline: Deborah Sullivan Daily News Staff Writer

As the April 13 municipal election nears, Councilman Hal Bernson is running for his sixth and final term against an attorney, an animal hospital manager, a retired civil servant and the publisher of a local political newsletter.

The challengers face an uphill fight against the 12th District councilman favored by incumbency and money.

``As a strategist, I simply would have to say the Los Angeles City Council races are even more weighted toward incumbency than other races,'' said political analyst Arnold Steinberg. He said incumbents have greater name recognition and fund-raising abilities than newcomers, and recent campaign contribution reform laws haven't helped.

``The current situation makes it very difficult for challengers. The contribution limits really favor the incumbents.''

Bernson, 68, has lived in Granada Hills for 35 years. He claims a legacy of earthquake safety and land use planning as his re-election record.

His current term has been characterized by his so far successful effort against multiple-use recreation at Chatsworth Reservoir and so far unsuccessful effort to block reopening of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Granada Hills.

His efforts to update seismic safety codes in the 1980s, improve earthquake preparedness and pass an ordinance to reinforce brick masonry buildings helped save lives during the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, he said.

``Had they not been reinforced, we would have had thousands of people killed in the quake.''

Bernson said he hopes to finish off his final term by ushering the Valley secession study through the Local Agency Formation Commission, where he serves as a member.

``The Valley's future hangs in the balance now,'' he said. ``It's important for me to be around to make sure the Valley's treated fairly.''

Challenger Charles Rubel, 55, takes that a step further, saying he supports Valley secession efforts.

He is campaigning on a platform of neighborhood councils ``which would allow people to have more interest in their neighborhoods and how neighborhoods look. Then, I as a councilman would give them an ear, so someone would be working with them to improve their neighborhoods.''

Rubel, a personal injury and real estate attorney, switched careers at age 48 after working as a restaurateur and in real estate. He has lived in Northridge for 28 years.

Howard Nussbaum, 32, a lifetime resident of North Hills, wants to revive community spirit, slow development in the Porter Ranch and Chatsworth Reservoir areas and return tax dollars to the district.

``If I was elected councilman, my main goal would be to try to have the tax dollars come here, to have more money for our schools and teachers, to combat the drug dealers and gangs in the community,'' he said.

Nussbaum, an animal hospital manager, serves as chapter president of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.

David Guzman, 56, a Northridge resident for 24 years, spent 34 years as a Los Angeles civil servant in the bureaus of Engineering and Street Maintenance and the Department of Public Works. He retired last year.

``My goals would be to really fight for the Valley, since I have all this experience with the city on how to get things done,'' Guzman said. ``I could help constituents with their frustration about how to get things done.''

Marilyn Stout, a homemaker and journalist who publishes a political newsletter called Common Sense, is running against Bernson on a campaign to stop urban sprawl and defend the Valley's environment and its economy.

Stout, 74, raised five children in her Northridge home of 37 years.

``I'm for campaign finance reform and the kind of public participation where people can feel like they can take part without having the big money dominate the situation,'' she said.

Stout also called for environmental preservation.