Hal Bernson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hal Bernson
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Bernson in 1989
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| Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 12th District | |
| In office July 1, 1979 – June 30, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Robert M. Wilkinson |
| Succeeded by | Greig Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 19, 1930 South Gate, California |
| Died | July 20, 2020 (aged 89) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Robyn Bernson |
| Children | 3 |
Harold M. Bernson (born November 19, 1930 – died July 20, 2020) was an important leader in Los Angeles, California. He served on the Los Angeles City Council for 24 years, from 1979 until he retired in 2003. He was known for his conservative views and for wanting the San Fernando Valley to become its own city, separate from Los Angeles.
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Early Life and Background
Hal Bernson was born in South Gate, California, on November 19, 1930. His parents were from Romania and Poland. He grew up in a Los Angeles neighborhood called Boyle Heights.
When he was young, he served in the United States Navy. After that, he owned a clothing store in Bakersfield. In 1956, he moved back to Los Angeles, and in 1958, he moved to the San Fernando Valley.
Community Involvement
Before joining the City Council, Bernson was very active in his community. In 1977, he helped lead a group in the San Fernando Valley that was against busing students to different schools. He also supported Proposition 13 in 1978, which changed property taxes in California.
From 1978 to 1979, he wrote articles for a local newspaper called the San Fernando Valley Chronicle. He also helped start a group called CIVICC, which looked into the idea of the Valley becoming independent. He was a member of the Republican Party.
Serving on the City Council
How He Was Elected
In 1979, many people ran for the 12th District seat in the San Fernando Valley. Hal Bernson was one of the top candidates. He won the election easily, becoming the new council member.
He was reelected many times after that, serving until 2003. In 1991, he faced a tough election against Julie Korenstein. She criticized him for supporting a large building project in Porter Ranch. However, Bernson had also voted against other development plans. He won that election too.
Key Achievements
"Mister Earthquake"
Hal Bernson was often called "Mister Earthquake." He worked very hard to make sure buildings in Los Angeles were safe from earthquakes. He helped create a law in 1981 that required many older buildings to be made stronger. This law was copied by other cities.
He also helped organize the city's first international earthquake conference. People from 28 countries attended to learn about earthquake safety. Bernson also created a safety booklet for children and helped develop the "Quakey-Shakey Van." This special vehicle taught kids how to stay safe during an earthquake.
In 1997, he received the Alfred E. Alquist Award for his great work in earthquake safety.
Transportation and City Planning
Bernson was the head of the City Council's Transportation Committee. He also served on the boards of important transportation groups, like the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA). People said he was very skilled at planning for the city's future.
In 2002, when he was 71, he was the longest-serving member of the City Council. He led several major transportation groups at the same time. In November 2002, he received the first Julian C. Dixon Award for his outstanding contributions to transportation.
Porter Ranch Development
In May 1989, Bernson took other council members on a bus tour of his district. He showed them areas like the proposed Porter Ranch development. This was a huge project planned to build homes and businesses on 1,300 acres.
Later that year, Mayor Tom Bradley and Bernson reached an agreement on the Porter Ranch project. It was one of the biggest development projects in Los Angeles history.
San Fernando Valley Independence
Bernson was a strong supporter of the San Fernando Valley becoming its own city, separate from Los Angeles. He also wanted the Valley to have its own school district, separate from the Los Angeles Unified School District. He believed the current school system was not working well.
Improving Neighborhoods
In the 1980s, Bernson worked to improve conditions in some neighborhoods. He pushed for changes that helped transform areas that had problems into better, safer communities. For example, a neighborhood in Northridge that had been struggling became a well-kept, gated community thanks to these efforts.
Protecting the Environment
Bernson was also known for his environmental work. He helped protect the Chatsworth Reservoir as a nature area. He also wrote the city's law to protect oak trees. He worked for decades to preserve the reservoir, seeing it as an important part of the San Fernando Valley's history for future generations.
Personal Life
Hal Bernson and his wife, Robyn, had three daughters: Nicole, Holleigh, and Sarah. They lived in Northridge, California.
Sadly, his daughter Holleigh died in a car accident in 1995. A city park in the Porter Ranch area was named in her honor. Bernson also donated money to the American Film Institute to create a scholarship in her name.
Bernson was known for being a determined politician who didn't like delays. He passed away on July 20, 2020, at the age of 89.
Legacy
There is a meeting room named after Hal Bernson in Chatsworth, located at 10038 Old Depot Plaza Road.
