Let the Valley Have the Facts on Cityhood

The following commentary is from Valley VOTE, an organization that seeks a study of cityhood for the San Fernando Valley. It was signed by Jeff Brain, president, Richard H. Close, chairman, Bruce Bialosky, treasurer, and the organization’s six area vice presidents.

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Last year the big issue for the San Fernando Valley was restoring the people’s right to vote on creating our own city. This year the issue is our right to fully study the facts about creating our own city.

Rather then steaming ahead with secession, Valley VOTE, a diverse organization composed of San Fernando Valley homeowners, business leaders and activists, is looking for sensible solutions to the problems plaguing the Valley and Los Angeles. Some Valley VOTE members strongly support secession, while others are undecided, awaiting more information.

All we are asking for is an independent study of the facts. Yet it is amazing how threatened certain interests seem to be simply by a request for a study of a possible Valley city by the Local Agency Formation Commission.

Significant research has been done on the effectiveness of smaller cities. There are 87 independent cities that surround the city of Los Angeles. Every one of them has lower taxes and most offer a better quality of life.

Like any diverse coalition, Valley VOTE has brought together individuals with a wide range of opinions on many issues. As individuals, they are free to support their own ideas. Some like the mayor; some don’t. Some think conditions in the Valley have gotten better; some don’t. Some have access to City Hall and feel that government is responsive; some don’t. However, we all agree on one thing: the right of the Valley to study the facts about cityhood.

Valley VOTE’s movement to study cityhood is healthy and gaining momentum. This is quite an undertaking, but one month after incorporating and with 2,000 volunteers, we are well on our way.

It has been suggested that Valley residents should hold the cityhood movement in abeyance until the city charter reform process is completed. Charter reform would not exist if not for our movement, and we have no reason to believe that there will be any significant reforms forthcoming without public pressure. The two charter commissions are controlled by those who are fundamentally opposed to meaningful reforms--the City Council and the public employee union bosses.

Mayor Riordan has made his best efforts on behalf of the Valley but he is in his last term. All the gains made under this mayor could quickly slip away with the next one.

The people of the Valley are united in their discontent. For years, they have given the benefit of the doubt to the City Council and the bureaucracy to do the right thing and make our communities and our lives better, but no more.

The charter recommendations are expected to be on the ballot in 1999. Valley cityhood will likely be on the ballot in the year 2000. If meaningful reforms are not on the ballot in 1999, then Valley residents will be ready with an option: a vote for cityhood.

The word for this year is “study.” The question is why the power structure is so resistant.