Group Analyzes Secession Study

A San Fernando Valley cityhood group is launching a campaign this weekend to gather public input on a financial study on secession that was recently released by the Local Agency Formation Commission.

Valley VOTE’s mail campaign is part of its effort to analyze and respond to the LAFCO’s Initial Fiscal Analysis, said Jeff Brain, the secessionist group’s president.

The study found that a new Valley city is financially feasible and would be able to operate at a surplus, even after it makes $68 million in “alimony” payments to keep Los Angeles financially stable. It identified issues that need to be settled, such as contracting with the Department of Water and Power.

Meanwhile, the head of the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn. said Friday her group has also formed a task force to analyze the financial study. VICA Chairwoman Cathy Maguire said the group only has a few weeks to challenge the study and make recommendations on how a new city might be organized.