Valley Chambers Put Faith in Riordan

San Fernando Valley commerce officials say the Richard Riordan Administration offers a sense of hope for forging links with downtown that were virtually nonexistent under the 20-year reign of retiring Mayor Tom Bradley.

“We’ve been fighting for representation for years, but the Valley has never really had a presence downtown,” said Bob Scott, president of the United Chambers of Commerce, which represents 21 chambers throughout the Valley and about 7,600 business people.

“So I think the biggest benefit is a sense of hope, a sense that the Valley can be part of the decision-making process in Los Angeles.”

Already, Scott said, Riordan has demonstrated accessibility.

Noting that he had met personally with Bradley only twice in 20 years, Scott said Riordan met with business leaders and the 21 chamber presidents in Studio City after winning the election, and that his transition team has shown interest in Valley business concerns.

Jeff Brain, president of the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce, agreed. “Riordan is a businessman, so maybe he’ll be better able to balance the needs of business with other concerns.”

Scott said that what Valley business needs most from the administration is also something candidate Riordan pledged during the campaign: a reduction in red tape. He said a burgeoning bureaucracy under Bradley has resulted in an entangling city permits process and a general lack of responsiveness by city government.

“More than wanting anything from the government,” Scott said, “we just want to be able to ply our respective trades.”