The Mayor and Secession

Re “Riordan Meets Local Secession Bid Leaders,” Jan. 24.

How ironic that while Mayor [Richard] Riordan was asking people in the Valley to work together to improve Los Angeles, he made no attempt to include the public or media in his meeting with citizen commissioners. The reality is that Valley residents are being shortchanged. That is why so many people want to flee an uncaring, unresponsive and inefficient city bureaucracy.

After reading the news announcement regarding the Valley commissioners meeting, I asked to sit in and listen to the mayor speak. Riordan and his staff flatly refused to let me or any media into his closed-door session. How hypocritical can one be? What is he afraid of?

The press reported the mayor demanded that commissioners “make the city better” and “stop doing things to tear it apart.” Read: Follow the party line or you will be bounced from your commissioner seat. After the mayor’s speech were some commissioners intimidated?

Riordan says he supports the people’s right to decide on the issue of secession. Since many Valley commissioners are already involved in bringing this decision to the public, why try to stop them? The mayor’s message is clear. Don’t confuse the issue with analysis, scrutiny or facts. Hopefully, the commissioners will reject his attempt to stifle dissent.

Riordan must do more than lecture the Valley on why he wants it to remain a part of Los Angeles. He must change conditions so the Valley will want--no, insist--on remaining part of Los Angeles.

GERALD A. SILVER

Encino