In Reform, a Common Goal

Mayor Richard Riordan and San Fernando Valley secessionists are poles apart when it comes to secession itself. But they did indeed find common ground when they met late last month to divvy up the costs of a study of Valley cityhood. And we’re not just talking about the “fair share” the mayor agreed the city would pay toward the study.

Leaders of Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment agree with Mayor Riordan on a matter of critical importance whether the Valley stays a part of the city or not: the need to reform the city charter. Although their agreement itself is not new--they’ve signed the ballot argument for reform--Valley VOTE Chairman Richard Close went a step further and agreed to allow his name, though not Valley VOTE’s, to be included in charter campaign literature.

Close’s lending his name to the charter campaign could spur support among secessionists who, disillusioned with city government, might otherwise ignore the charter question on the June 8 ballot. Even worse, they might vote against it, either out of spite or because they think a reformed city charter would weaken their argument for secession.

Close is confident enough to be generous to the city he wants to divorce. “If we leave the city, we want to leave a city that is well-run,” he said. And he’s practical enough to know that charter reform is good insurance in case secession fails.