Ceremony to Honor Ex-Mayor Bradley

San Fernando Valley residents will join current and former public officials Sunday at a ceremony honoring former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.

The free event is being organized by City Councilman Richard Alarcon, who served for three years as Bradley’s Valley area coordinator before winning a council seat.

Bradley was memorably feted in February at City Hall, but Alarcon said Valley residents wanted their own tribute, especially since the 79-year-old former mayor remains somewhat debilitated since a 1996 stroke.

“There are just so many things in the Valley that he was involved with” during his 20 years as mayor, Alarcon said Friday.

“Particularly after his stroke, a lot of people were asking me how he was doing. I thought it would be a good time to tell the mayor ‘thank you’ for all he has done.”

Among the Valley projects the coalition-building Bradley steered, according to Alarcon:

* Funding efforts for the Japanese Gardens in Van Nuys, Balboa Lake in the Sepulveda Basin and Warner Center in Woodland Hills.

* Leading the effort to build a pool and bicycle velodrome where U.S. Olympic teams trained and competed in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

* Ensuring the Valley was included in the L.A. Best pilot program, an after-school program now offered citywide.

Ten former Bradley officials with Valley responsibilities have been invited to speak at Sunday’s informal event, Alarcon said.

A VIP reception is scheduled for 3 p.m. with the main celebration opening to the public at 4.

Alarcon said Bradley’s health problems have hardly diminished his broad appeal.

“He still can’t speak, but he’s still a great communicator,” he said.