LIBERALS FIGHT BREAKUP IMAGE ALLIANCE BATTLES PERCEPTION OF SECESSION AS GOP-BACKED.

Byline: James Nash Staff Writer

Although Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly a 2-1 ratio in the San Fernando Valley, some liberals running for the proposed Valley city's council say they're fighting a perception that it would be a GOP stronghold.

So, 15 candidates have banded together to promote causes such as environmental protection and gay rights - as well as the broader cause of Valley cityhood - which they say is bedeviled by the notion that its supporters are mainly privileged white men.

``Our purpose is to show voters that the secession movement isn't a right-wing conspiracy,'' said Terry Stone, a co-founder of the Valley Alliance of Liberals and a council candidate in Van Nuys.

The alliance, which is scheduled to release its platform at a news conference today in front of the Van Nuys Civic Center, is made up of 15 candidates running in eight of the 14 Valley council districts. No mayoral candidates are members.

The group formed as a support network and as a signal to liberal voters that their positions will be represented in a new Valley city, said Shaunn Cartwright of Northridge, an alliance member.

``Although these are nonpartisan positions, people need to know that there are people in office who are going to listen to them.''

Robert Goldsobel, a Winnetka-area candidate and a co-founder of the group, said even people who don't support Valley cityhood should vote for candidates who represent their beliefs.

The Valley portion of Los Angeles has 288,421 registered Democrats and 160,848 registered Republicans, according to the county registrar-recorder.

Some Valley candidates say the message of a separate city with a smaller government resonates most with Republicans, while some Democrats are influenced by the anti-secession positions of municipal employee unions, Democratic elected officials and the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley.

Jeff Daar, chairman of the Democratic Party of the Valley and a founder of the anti-secession group One Los Angeles, said secession isn't a partisan issue but that Democrats should be concerned about the qualifications of candidates. He noted that the county Democratic Party endorsed only two candidates for the Valley offices.

``If they could only come up with two candidates for the city council and none for mayor to endorse, that should tell you that you shouldn't have much confidence in good Democratic representation in the new city,'' Daar said.

Richard Katz, co-chairman of the Valley Independence Committee and a former Democratic leader in the state Assembly, said Daar's comments smack of elitism. Many leaders of the county Democratic Party would rather cozy up to downtown interests than represent mainstream Democrats in the Valley, Katz said.

``There are a lot of good Democrats (running for Valley offices) that they never even interviewed,'' Katz said.

Cartwright and Frank Sheftel, two members of the liberal candidates alliance, said the group will spotlight domestic partnerships, the euthanasia of pets in shelters, environmental protection, solar energy and other issues that haven't been part of the cityhood debate.

Not all left-of-center candidates count themselves as members of the liberal alliance.

Mel Wilson, a Democrat running for mayor who did not join the alliance, said he is interested in quality-of-life issues rather than ideological distractions. ``I'm a core Democrat, but I'm focusing on how to help middle-income folks.''

FORUMS ON CITYHOOD

During the next two weeks, several organizations plan to hold informational sessions on San Fernando Valley secession, which will be Measure F on the Nov. 5 ballot.

All events are free except where indicated.

--Thursday: Pierce College will host a debate between City Council President Alex Padilla, who opposes secession, and secession advocate Carlos Ferreyra, at 11 a.m. at the Campus Center. Pierce College is at 6421 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills. To reach the center, enter at Calvert Street, make the first right and get a parking pass at the police kiosk.

--Sunday: Shomrei Torah Synagogue will host a forum on secession, moderated by Ken Jeffries of KFWB-AM (980), 10 a.m. to noon. The synagogue is at 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. The charge, which includes brunch, is $10 for synagogue members and $12 for nonmembers.

--Sunday: The Civic Forum, a neutral organization, will air the 15th show in its series called ``Secession 101'' on Channel 36. This episode, ``The Valley and Los Angeles: A Complex Relationship,'' focuses on the relations between Valley residents and the rest of Los Angeles. It will air at 11:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. and be rebroadcast on Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.

--Monday: The Arleta Chamber of Commerce and Residents Association will host an event for the public to meet the candidates for Valley city council in Districts 4 and 6 at Canterbury Elementary/Magnet School, 13670 Montague St., Arleta, from 7 to 9 p.m.

--Monday: Valley business groups will host a reception for the public to meet the candidates for Valley city council and mayor. All 121 candidates have been invited, although it is not known how many will attend. Airtel Plaza Hotel, 7277 Valjean Ave., Van Nuys, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

--Oct. 16: The Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association will sponsor a debate among the Valley mayoral candidates. Sunkist Building, 14130 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks, 7:30 p.m.

--Oct. 16: The Northridge Community Council will sponsor a forum for candidates in District 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Northridge Hospital, fifth floor, 18300 Roscoe Blvd., (enter from Etiwanda Avenue, east of Reseda Blvd.).

--Oct. 17: The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which actively opposes secession, will host a debate on secession at the Universal City Hilton. Hors d'oeuvres at 6 p.m., debate from 7 to 8:30 p.m. On the pro-secession side will be former Assemblywoman and council candidate Paula Boland, Valley VOTE Chairman Richard Close and Bob Scott, co-chairman of Alliance for New L.A.; on the anti-secession side will be City Controller Laura Chick, Councilman Eric Garcetti and Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski.

--Oct. 19: The University of California, Los Angeles, will host a forum on secession from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Ackerman Grand Ballroom, 308 Westwood Plaza. Speakers scheduled to attend include Mayor James Hahn, Valley VOTE President Jeff Brain and Hollywood secession leader Gene LaPietra. Moderated by KTLA (Channel 5) anchor Hal Fishman. Parking in Lot 6 for $7.

--Oct. 19: The San Fernando Valley College of Law will host a forum on secession from 9 a.m. to noon at 21300 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills. Secession opponents scheduled to participate include attorney Mitch Menzer of L.A. United, Xandra Kayden of the League of Women Voters, police union President Mitzi Grasso, and Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce President Rusty Hammer; secession supporters include Valley VOTE President Jeff Brain, Valley Independence Committee members Richard Katz and Bill Powers and California State University, Northridge, professor Shirley Svorny.

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FORUMS ON CITYHOOD (see text)