Wachs’ Move Signals a First for Valley in Mayoral Chase

City Councilman Joel Wachs of Studio City became Wednesday the first San Fernando Valley politician to throw his hat into the ring for the 2001 mayor’s race.

In filing a declaration of intent to run, Wachs joins what is expected to be a crowded field. So far, City Atty. James Hahn of San Pedro and city Parks Commissioner Steven Soboroff of Pacific Palisades have also filed papers declaring their intention to run, allowing them to begin fund-raising.

Wachs may be the only major Valley politician to compete for the mayor’s office, and that could help his candidacy, according to Parke Skelton, a political consultant not working for any of the candidates.

“He probably will be the candidate most identified with the Valley,” Skelton said. “I think it helps that he’s from the Valley. The Valley represents 40% to 45% of the vote.”

Wachs placed an impressive third in the 1993 mayoral election.

“I am starting early, and I am giving it a 100% effort,” Wachs said of the campaign. “And I’m extremely optimistic because virtually every professional assessment indicates that I have an excellent chance of winning.”

An attorney, Wachs has served 28 years on the City Council, where he has made a name for himself on issues involving government efficiency.

“It is imperative that we have a new mayor with unparalleled experience and an impeccable reputation for honesty and integrity,” Wachs said.

The fireworks in the race have already begun.

At a Parks Commission meeting Wednesday, when the panel approved an extension of the Greek Theater lease, Soboroff voted against the action but chided Wachs for what Soboroff claimed were inaccurate criticisms of the deal.

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REMEMBER ME: It seemed a never-ending saga, but the drive to obtain government funding of a Valley secession study may finally be at a close, with the state, city and county looking like they will share the tab.

Now some politicians are looking to make double-sure voters know who was responsible.

The Legislature got the ball rolling last month when it agreed to provide $1.8 million for the state-required study as part of the next state budget. That is expected to cover 80% of the study’s estimated $2.3-million cost.

Numerous news stories chronicled the developments in Sacramento, all the way up until Gov. Gray Davis signed off on the request.

Nevertheless, the group of Los Angeles-area state lawmakers that spearheaded the campaign--Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks), Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Northridge), Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar) and state Sen. Richard Alarcon (D-Sylmar)--is hoping for one more photo-op.

The group has scheduled a celebratory press conference for Friday at the State Building in Van Nuys, where the pols will mug for the cameras with community leaders and hand over a $1.8-million check to the Local Agency Formation Commission, the panel that will conduct the study.

Because powerful state Sens. John Burton (D-San Francisco) and Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) were said to be opposed, the campaign to obtain state funding was considered an uphill one by many politicos--including City Councilman Hal Bernson and county Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, both of whom sit on LAFCO.

As a result, many of the secessionists and political leaders are still in a festive mood. They believe it is only a matter of time before the final pieces--the remaining 20% of the tab--fall into place.

Yet despite the hoopla, funding for the secession study still has some political obstacles to overcome.

Yaroslavsky this week introduced a motion asking his colleagues to pick up $225,000, or half of the remaining 20%--as long as the city of Los Angeles pays the rest. The Board of Supervisors is to discuss the proposal Tuesday.

Mayor Richard Riordan has said he would support the city paying 10%, but the decision rests in the hands of the City Council, which contains its share of secession opponents.

Although the battle may not be officially over, secession boosters believe it is, for all intents and purposes--and that now their fun begins.

Valley VOTE Chairman Richard Close said he is looking forward to seeing local politicians debate the issue, because he feels it will put pressure on wavering elected leaders to take a firm stand one way or another--and face the music from constituents.

“I think it’s an important part of the process,” Close said. “It’s important to learn who your friends and foes really are. With politicians, talk is cheap. Voting requires them to show whose side they’re really on.”

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CRACKING THE WHIP: Newly reelected City Council President John Ferraro was tired of council meetings starting a half hour or more late, so he dropped the hammer on his colleagues.

Meetings are supposed to start at 10 a.m., and Ferraro announced a new rule that would have council meetings adjourn for lack of a quorum if 10 of the 15 council members are not present by 10:15.

“It’s very rude to the members who are here on time and those in the audience,” Ferraro told his colleagues this week.

With council members anxious not to have their pet projects delayed by cancellation of meetings, the new rule appears to be working.

The council had a quorum at 10:10 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“I’m very pleased,” Ferraro said. “There’s no reason the council shouldn’t meet on time. It’s only fair to the council members, and more importantly the public, who make the effort to be there on time.”