VOTE Deserves Answers

The Los Angeles City Council did the right thing last week in unanimously approving a 30-day extension to the petition drive seeking a study on San Fernando Valley secession. How much the council’s vote actually matters, though, remains to be seen because the power to grant the extension lies not with the city but with the Legislature or the courts.

In reality, the vote was little more than a grand way of apologizing to leaders of Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment, or VOTE, for excluding petition drive volunteers from last month’s Van Nuys Aviation Expo.

In that respect, the gesture was positive--even if it failed to satisfy VOTE leaders who suspect the city of trying to squash their campaign. VOTE still holds out the threat of legal action, although that’s an unlikely and costly option.

This newspaper makes no secret of its opposition to secession or of its reservations about VOTE. Rather than split apart, the myriad neighborhoods of Los Angeles should work together for reform of the city’s government. The work of two commissions--one elected, one appointed--already promises many of the reforms sought by secessionists. And for a group that seeks open government, VOTE has been secretive about its finances. Last week, it became clear why. Despite VOTE’s insistence that its support comes from many small donations, the group’s largest single donor was revealed to be the Daily News--which contributed roughly one-third of the money collected so far. That lack of candor permeates VOTE’s campaign. Although leaders say they want only to study the breakup of Los Angeles, the campaign is pitched on the street as a chance to divorce Los Angeles. Regardless, the group has an absolute right to petition without interference.

VOTE volunteers were barred from circulating petitions at the show held every year at the city-owned Van Nuys Airport. It was a clear violation of their 1st Amendment rights, and the actions of the security officers who kept them out were inexcusable. The incident was a sorry comment on the ability of residents to agitate for change without fear of reprisal.

As Councilwoman Laura Chick, who introduced the motion for an extension, said during last week’s debate: “This was not about secession, it was about righting a wrong.”

And the 14-0 apology by the City Council makes it clear that every member--even those fiercely opposed to secession--understands that.

VOTE has less than three weeks to submit 135,000 signatures asking the Local Agency Formation Commission to launch a study that could be the first step toward a citywide vote on secession. Despite the City Council’s vote, LAFCO director Larry J. Calemine may not have the power to grant VOTE an extension. Plus, it’s unclear whether VOTE could continue to circulate petitions while county officials verify names and addresses after the initial deadline. Just how much time VOTE has left is a question of state law that needs either intervention by the Legislature or clarification by the courts.

These questions need answers--and fast. Secession is a bad idea, but a vigorous democracy guarantees its people the right to pursue bad ideas freely.

The barring of VOTE from circulating petitions at the air show was a clear violation of 1st Amendment rights and a sorry comment on the ability of residents to agitate for change without fear of reprisal.