Hertzberg to Address Homeowners Group

Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) will return home Wednesday to address several topics, including the bill he co-wrote that would remove City Council veto power over a San Fernando Valley secession effort.

That bill, created with Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Northridge), passed early Saturday by a convincing 49-14 margin and now awaits action from Gov. Pete Wilson.

Hertzberg is scheduled to speak Wednesday at the monthly meeting of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn., along with John Semcken, spokesman for the proposed new downtown sports arena, and transportation official David Mieger.

In addition to discussing secession, Hertzberg will give an overview of his first year in the state Legislature.

During that period, Hertzberg, a Sherman Oaks resident and longtime homeowners association member, has chaired the influential Assembly Public Safety Committee.

“He wants to make it personal and talk about what he saw and felt. Kind of make it real,” said Hertzberg’s chief of staff, Miriam Jaffe.

“It’s his first time speaking [in Sherman Oaks] as an elected official. It’s like coming home.”

Semcken will bring displays and drawings of the proposed arena and will field questions from residents.

Mieger, San Fernando Valley planning director for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, will have maps and photographs detailing how rapid transit could arrive in the Valley within three years.

The meeting will begin at 8 p.m. at The Ventura, 13920 Ventura Blvd.