Riordan to Meet With Valley Leaders

In what organizers are calling the first event of its kind, Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and at least 17 of the city’s top representatives from the Valley will speak Thursday on topics of crime, privatization of city services and other issues that galvanized Valley voters earlier this year.

“We have the first new city government in 20 years, and the business community wants to know how public officials are going to get their act together,” said David W. Fleming, who will moderate one of several panel discussions. “I don’t plan to lob softballs.”

Riordan, five City Council members and at least 12 commissioners will field questions from Valley business leaders and others, as part of the annual Business Market and Forecast Conference sponsored by the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn., at the Warner Center Marriott.

“I think the Valley, more than any other part of this city, wants to see some fundamental changes in government,” said Fleming, vice president of the Los Angeles Fire Commission and past president of VICA. “That’s why the event is being held here.”

The five City Council members representing the Valley--Richard Alarcon, Marvin Braude, Laura Chick, John Ferraro and Zev Yaroslavsky--are expected to attend. Members of the police, fire, planning, transportation, harbor and civil service commissions, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metropolitan Water District and Convention Center also are expected.

Topics related to public safety, proposed budget cuts, the possible elimination of some business regulations, wages and pensions of city workers and transportation are scheduled for discussion.

Many of the issues were planks of Riordan’s campaign for election last April and June, during which he received crucial support from the Valley.

A spokeswoman for Riordan, however, said the event is not meant as a chance for Riordan to flex his political muscle within his power base.

“We were invited here by VICA,” said Annette Castro, Riordan’s press secretary. “Of course, it’s good for us to participate in any event that benefits the city and its relationship with businesses.”