MAYOR GIVES VALLEY VOICE ON BATTERED TRANSIT AGENCY.

Byline: David Bloom Daily News Staff Writer

Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan named Councilman Hal Bernson of Granada Hills to fill a vacancy Monday on the MTA board, restoring Valley representation to the troubled transit agency.

The appointment - which gives the San Fernando Valley one of the 13 Metropolitan Transportation Authority seats - generally was well-received among local leaders, although several voiced the hope that Bernson would work closely with the community to build consensus for a workable mass transit plan as the MTA is reorganized.

``His extensive background in transportation issues, his experience as a board alternative and his ability to consistently get things done makes him an ideal candidate for the board,'' Riordan said.

Bernson already is an alternate on the MTA board, and a board member of the Southern California Association of Governments and the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, which runs Metrolink commuter trains. Until a recent reorganization, he also was on the City Council's transportation committee.

``Although I have some concern about accepting this appointment, I am extremely pleased to have been selected because it gives me the opportunity to fight for the San Fernando Valley's share of transit dollars,'' Bernson said in a statement. ``I believe that we must receive a fair return for the dollars we have been contributing for nearly two decades.''

Bernson, who was out of town and unavailable for comment, said in the statement that he will look at transit issues as they affect the entire region, not just the Valley.

``None of our options can be considered in a vacuum,'' he said. ``I have always endorsed a multimodal approach to mass transit and that includes an efficient bus system, shuttles, bike lanes and fixed rail. And that includes rail in the Valley.''

Bernson, a conservative who has represented the Northwest Valley on the council since 1979, replaces Carol Schatz, the president of the Central City Association.

Schatz quit last week, about a month after Riordan replaced Northridge Realtor Mel Wilson with a Boyle Heights developer. Until Schatz's resignation, the city's four representatives all were closely associated with downtown and east side interests, stirring concern among Valley leaders who feel the region has been slighted for years.

Valley leaders warmly greeted Bernson's appointment publicly, though some voiced private concerns about his ability to represent the broader region's concerns.

Bernson has been criticized for proposing that Metrolink run transit service in the Valley, and reconsider whether rights-of-way along Burbank and Chandler boulevards should be used for that. Most other Valley political, community and business leaders have backed the Burbank-Chandler route.

``It's not necessarily a pro-Valley appointment,'' said one Valley leader, who asked not to be identified. ``It depends on how Hal will be. In the past, he's been something of a stalking-horse for'' county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.

Antonovich, who was out of the country, has pushed for a rail line down the center of the Ventura Freeway. He and Bernson share a political orientation and constituents.

Other Valley political leaders said Bernson is pragmatic and relatively easy to work with, and welcomed his appointment.

``I think Hal's a very experienced and knowledgeable member,'' said county Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, another MTA board member. ``My main hope is that he will work to maintain the consensus.''

Yaroslavsky said because Bernson is the lone Valley representative for the city, he will have to represent a broader region than he has in the past.

``Like it or not, he is not just his own agent, he's not just the mayor's agent,'' Yaroslavsky said. ``He's going to be looked at by Valley political and community leaders who want someone who works collaboratively and not solo. If he does that, he'll be great.''

City Councilman Richard Alarcon, an MTA alternate, said Bernson ``is a good choice because he has a long-standing track record of being engaged in transportation as an issue.''

But he will need to focus on beefing up the resource-starved bus system at a time when the agency is running out of money, Alarcon said.

Councilman Michael Feuer said Bernson's Metrolink proposal is flawed, but parts of it can be fixed to be in accord with a broader Valley consensus.

``I think it's very important we all be on the same page as rapidly as possible,'' Feuer said. ``That's one of the specific goals whoever's on the MTA should be affirming right away. Anyone on the MTA needs to be riveted on ensuring we get the support we need from Washington, and ensuring all transit riders get access as soon as possible.''

Valley Industry and Commerce Association Vice Chairman Nate Brogin said Bernson ``has the independence, I think he has the credentials, I think he has the ability to do the job.''

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PHOTO Hal Bernson

Vows to fight for Valley