Valley VOTE’s Petition Drive Gets Moving

Calling the day historic, leaders of a San Fernando Valley group launched a petition drive Saturday that if successful would complete the first step toward political autonomy.

Meeting in Lake Balboa Park in Encino under flawless blue skies, 45 people showed up to volunteer for the drive, organized by Valley VOTE. Leaders were upbeat, saying they have yet to encounter opposition.

“There is absolutely no resistance to people signing this,” said Valley VOTE member Tony Pasano. “Nobody says ‘No.’ It’s incredible.”

During the three-hour event, Valley VOTE members tried to coax several park-goers, including a few wearing bike shorts and in-line skates, to stop and sign.

Jan Leegard, a Tarzana resident who was skating past when she was asked to sign, said she supports the idea of a separate city in the Valley.

“I think the Valley should have its own government that will allow this community to invest in itself,” she said.

Others who showed up to support the effort said they had read about the event in the newspapers. A few people grabbed stacks of petitions, which they promised to circulate.

Most of those who signed the petition recited a list of grievances against City Hall, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the school district as their reasons for supporting the effort.

Walter Esser, a 34-year resident of Van Nuys, signed the petition and then called the Los Angeles City Council “incompetent,” complained about the appearance of Van Nuys Boulevard and criticized the MTA for failing to build a light-rail line through the Valley.

“They just don’t represent us,” he said of downtown lawmakers. “I came here in ’63 and it was beautiful.”

Monica Poe, a 10-year resident of Porter Ranch, took 20 petitions, which she promised to circulate in her neighborhood.

She said she supports Valley independence because she wants her community to “have that small-town atmosphere.”

“I’ve seen a lot of deterioration here,” she said. “What I love here I don’t want to lose.”

Valley VOTE leaders said nothing like the independence movement has occurred since 1902, when the city of Coronado was carved out of San Diego.

“This is historic because nothing like this has been done in 96 years,” said Valley VOTE Chairman Richard Close.

But Close was not disheartened by the turnout, saying the event was simply ceremonial, and predicting 4,000 volunteers are ready to begin the drive in earnest on Tuesday. Other Valley VOTE organizers said the group has already distributed 10,000 petitions.

“This is more than I expected because we’ve been distributing petitions since Tuesday,” Close said.

If the group collects 135,000 signatures, 25% of the registered voters in the Valley, the Local Agency Formation Commission would then study the impact of a Valley political secession.

If the study showed that the Valley could sustain itself as a separate city without financially hurting Los Angeles, Valley secession would go on a citywide ballot. A majority in the Valley and a majority in the city as a whole are required for passage.

The event started with speeches by Valley VOTE leaders who said the petition drive will put pressure on two citizen panels to rewrite the city charter in a way that increases citizen participation in city government.

“If City Hall doesn’t come up with meaningful reform, we will have to move forward with cityhood,” said Valley VOTE President Jeff Brain.

The group launched the petition drive to coincide with Tuesday’s primary. Volunteers are expected to collect signatures in front of about 250 Valley polling sites.

In addition, Valley VOTE has hired a professional petition circulating firm at a cost of 93 cents per signature.

* CHARTER REFORM MOVE: City panel endorses a system of neighborhood councils that would have some decision-making powers. B13