New Lines in Splitsville

The politics of divisiveness continue to plague the San Fernando Valley. Even as self-proclaimed civic leaders seek to distance the Valley from Los Angeles, various Valley neighborhoods seek to distance themselves from the Valley. The latest: Residents in the eastern end of Van Nuys want to leave that community’s reputation behind and christen themselves Valley Glen. After deadlocking on the issue, a community council has kicked the name change decision to Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Feuer. He should reject it.

From West Hills to North Hills to Valley Village to West Toluca Lake, thousands of Valley residents have spent time and money over the past decade to rename their neighborhoods in efforts to flee what many considered seedier communities like Canoga Park, Sepulveda and North Hollywood. Ego and property values generally drive these splits. But always proponents claim that they want to foster--not destroy--a sense of community, that they want to create cozy neighborhood nooks in an otherwise faceless metropolis.

The Times has no problem with neighborhoods changing their names. Who, for instance, remembers Owensmouth? Or Marion? Or Lankershim? What we object to is the disturbing trend of residents opting simply to name themselves free of the troubles that plague their communities. We doubt the altruism of residents who wave the banner of community as they work to dismember long-standing communities simply because the problems seem too big and hard to solve. True communities come together in times of trouble. They don’t turn and walk away.

If the time and energy spent arguing over the Valley Glen name change were spent trying to solve problems like truancy or graffiti, the need for the split would vanish. Feuer’s office should promote this idea, rather than create yet another enclave in a city already carved into suspicious camps of “us” and “them.” Residents should use the area’s Livable Neighborhood Council--itself a good community tool--to work on creative solutions to big problems.

No, it won’t be easy. But community rarely is. If neighbors are serious about creating a sense of community, they should start with the community they have and work to make it better. Putting up shiny new signs to ward off outside evils does nothing except further honeycomb the city. Feuer has the power to obstruct a disturbing trend. He should use it, and then work with residents to get as passionate about standing together as they are about standing apart.