Activists Don’t Share Mayor’s Party Spirit

When Mayor Richard Riordan released his budget this week, one item caused a spike in the blood pressure of some taxpayer activists.

On Page 75 of the budget summary, under the Department of Cultural Affairs, Riordan budgeted $1 million for five parties Dec. 31, 1999.

“To usher in the millennium, the Regional Arts Councils will host five regional New Year’s Eve 1999 celebrations,” according to the document.

The proposal is sure to spark debate when it is taken up by the City Council.

“It would seem to me we have more important things to spend money on than on a party, especially when the millennium won’t be for another year after the parties,” said one council member’s chief of staff.

The $1-million budget item outraged Kris Vosburgh, executive director of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn.

“What are they celebrating, that they have an extra $1 million to spend on parties?” Vosburgh asked.

He noted that city officials said two weeks ago that voters needed to approve a $744-million bond measure because the city lacked the money to pay for various improvements.

“Obviously, the taxpayers are paying for this party,” Vosburgh said. “I think they would rather see the money spent on more practical things, like renovated police and fire facilities.”

Riordan said he hopes the celebrations will not only bring the city together but also project a positive image of Los Angeles.

“Various groups throughout the city, from Olvera Street to south Los Angeles, will have some very special celebrations,” Riordan said this week.

Because Los Angeles wants to show its stuff to the world, Riordan said, the party may have to be a long one Dec. 31.

“It’s complicated, because at 12 midnight, it’s 3 a.m. in New York, so who’s going to be watching our celebration?” Riordan said. “So we are trying to do it so we can start about 4 in the afternoon, so we can get some news coverage throughout the country, hour by hour.”

In the San Fernando Valley, the party site probably will be the Sepulveda Basin in Van Nuys.

City Cultural Affairs Director Al Nodal said Wednesday that the final selection is a week away, but that he is 99% sure the Valley site will be either Woodley Park or Balboa Park.

A third site under consideration, Hansen Dam Park, is less attractive because it is not as centrally located, officials said.

The party, which will have multicultural performances, could attract up to 500,000 people, city officials said.

That has some Van Nuys community leaders worried.

“In all probability it would create problems for the neighborhood,” said Prudy Schultz, a member of the Van Nuys Homeowners Assn. board. “I don’t know how we can take all the traffic.”

Nodal said his office plans to work closely with neighboring residents to make sure the party is not a problem for those who live in the area.