A Definite Maybe on Secession

The Times opposes the bill by Assemblywoman Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills) that would make it easier for the San Fernando Valley to secede from Los Angeles. This newspaper is against secession and, whether you agree with that stand or not, it has been consistent.

Someone has to be.

Many, including Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, seem to have trouble finding a foothold on the bill, which would remove the authority of the L.A. City Council to veto a secession attempt by the Valley or any other part of the city. On May 10, reporters heard Riordan say that voters citywide, not just in the Valley, should have a say in secession, but he wouldn’t say he wanted the Boland bill amended to include all city voters. State law says that only residents of a proposed breakaway area may vote in such an election.

Later the mayor said, “I support the bill” because it allows self-determination. Minutes afterward, the mayor said he had “no position” on the bill. Then he said “I do not support the whole city voting” on secession, and subsequently he remarked that he would campaign hard against secession.

Then came a Riordan press statement in which the mayor declared: “I am supportive of the right of Los Angeles residents to choose their own destiny. However, I am personally opposed to the splintering of our great city.”

Later, explaining, the mayor said: “No, I don’t mean the city as a whole” should get to vote. “I mean the Valley. .J.J. I’m not going to lobby for it [the bill] or against it. Frankly, I wish it wasn’t there.” Now Riordan says that he has no position on the Boland legislation.

Councilman Rudy Svoronich Jr. had this to say about Tuesday’s 8-6 City Council vote to oppose the bill, a vote that found him on the losing side: “Eight members of the council can subvert the will of 1.7 million people [residents of the Valley].J.J.J. That is not democracy.” Of course, Svoronich’s sentiments might have something to do with secessionist talk in his harbor area district.

And what about those City Council members from Valley districts? Well, there was Laura Chick, who says (1) that she will campaign against secession because it might worsen conditions in the Valley and (2) that this “is not a grass-roots movement” but rather one “driven by the political ambitions” of Boland, a state Senate candidate. Yet Chick cast her vote for the bill. Richard Alarcon? He doubts the Valley would benefit from secession but sided with the Boland legislation. Marvin Braude and Joel Wachs? They’re against secession and for the bill. Hal Bernson: “The Boland bill is not about secession--it’s about equality.” Bernson is against secession, and for the measure.

In the end, we guess it’s all about having your waffles and eating them, too.