Canoga Park C of C Resists ‘West Hills’ Separatists

The campaign to rename a Canoga Park neighborhood “West Hills” was criticized as snobbish and greedy Thursday by the community’s business leaders.

Directors of the Canoga Park Chamber of Commerce said it would be a mistake for 4,700 residents at the western edge of the San Fernando Valley to isolate themselves from the rest of the community by forming their own three-square-mile enclave.

That reaction was not the one that organizers of the name-change drive had hoped for when they met at the newly opened Canoga Park Community Center with officials of the 280-member business group.

Joel Schiffman, who is heading a petition drive for the new name, told chamber officers that the West Hills designation would enable homeowners to preserve the residential character of their neighborhood.

“What is in the interest of Hughes or Rocketdyne or Mervyn’s isn’t necessarily in the interest of the residents,” said Fred Gober, another petition campaign leader.

Lack of Influence Cited

Gober said homeowners now have “no way to lobby” Los Angeles city officials for such things as park improvements or traffic safety. “I don’t think the Canoga Park Chamber of Commerce would take an interest in that,” he said.

Chamber officials listened glumly to the West Hills presentation--particularly after Schiffman invited them to change their name to the “Canoga Park-West Hills Chamber of Commerce.”

Chamber president-elect John Caulkins, a contractor, charged that West Hills advocates are pursuing a new identity “to make money” through increased property values that might be expected if a ritzier sounding name were adopted.

Chamber director Glen Kirby, a minister, said that “the perception is Canoga Park isn’t good enough” for the homeowners. Another director, Sandy Dargert, owner of an answering service, counseled West Hills proponents: “Don’t try to be exclusive.”

Cooperation Suggested

Former Chamber president Jack Dinsfriend, a tax consultant, said the would-be secessionists should work with the business group if they want to have influence with city officials over neighborhood improvements. “Put our clout and weight behind you,” he suggested.

“You’ve got a misconception of us. We are for the benefit of the community,” added Steve Shusett, owner of a cash register company and a chamber director.

“We’ve worked for years to better this area,” added funeral director Sue McCoy. “Why haven’t you, as citizens, come to us?”

Schiffman, who said Canoga Park homeowners living just north of his group’s proposed boundaries have asked to join the West Hills movement, was undeterred by the criticism.

“If the democratic process means anything, they shouldn’t be able to shoot us down,” Schiffman said of the chamber.

He said results of the month-long petition effort will be tallied next week. After that, the petitions will be presented to Joy Picus, city councilwoman for the Canoga Park area, who will be asked to initiate the name change with the city Department of Transportation. Picus has said she will not take a stand until the proposal is presented to her.

Proposed Boundaries

As now proposed, the West Hills boundaries would be Roscoe Boulevard on the north, Woodlake-Platt avenues on the east, Victory Boulevard on the south and the Los Angeles-Ventura county line on the west.

Chamber President William Vietinghoff said a resolution opposing the name change was proposed during a board executive session Thursday. But he said no action will be taken until Picus asks for the group’s views.