Lawmakers to Speak at Area Meetings

Appearances by three state lawmakers will highlight meetings Wednesday of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn., the Studio City Residents Assn. and the Sylmar Community Coordinating Council.

The meetings will feature state Senate President Pro Tem Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward), Assemblyman Robert Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) and Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar).

Richard Close, president of the Sherman Oaks Assn., said Lockyer will deliver a “state of the state” address focusing on issues of Valley secession, crime and the local economy.

“Senate President Bill Lockyer has been a friend to residents of the San Fernando Valley,” Close said in a statement. “He was instrumental in efforts to pass legislation to eliminate the City Council’s ability to veto the Valley becoming a separate city.”

Area residents and business owners are invited to the free event, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. at The Ventura, 13920 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

Hertzberg, who recently completed his first year in the Assembly, will also discuss Valley secession, said Tony Lucente, president of the Studio City Assn.

He will also talk about plans for a new Ralphs supermarket at Laurel Canyon and Ventura boulevards, Lucente said.

“This corner is at the heart of our community so it’s something we are watching closely,” Lucente said. “We have some concerns but so far the project has generally been well-received.”

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Carpenter Avenue Elementary School gymnasium, 3909 Carpenter Ave., Studio City.

At noon Wednesday, Cardenas will talk about Caltrans and other transportation issues at a luncheon meeting of the Sylmar Community Coordinating Council.

The meeting will be held at the Mandarin King Restaurant, 17092 Devonshire St., Northridge. Lunch is $6.50.