Valley Secession Group Backs Its Leader

Leaders of the San Fernando Valley secession drive rallied Friday behind their standard-bearer, Jeff Brain, saying that his moving from the Valley and his failure to pay taxes over most of the last 11 years are irrelevant to their campaign.

But some other Valley separatists said Brain’s tax delinquency and departure from the city of Los Angeles threaten to undermine the movement’s credibility. They called on Brain to step down as president of Valley VOTE, the group pushing for separation from Los Angeles.

In a statement, the Valley VOTE board applauded Brain’s “tremendous commitment to advance the cause of Valley independence with very little compensation in return.”

“Valley VOTE has full, complete and unshaken confidence in Jeff Brain,” it said.

The Times reported Friday that Brain has failed to pay $61,000 in taxes, penalties and interest to the city, state and federal governments, according to records. Liens filed against him by state and federal tax agencies show that he remains delinquent on income taxes for 1990 through 1997 and for 1999. In June, the city of Los Angeles won a Small Claims Court judgment against Brain to collect $4,001 in city business taxes due last year for his work as a real estate broker.

Some Valley VOTE board members voiced mild concern Friday about Brain’s failure to pay taxes.

“From the perspective of being a leader of the group, obviously the image isn’t there that we would want,” said Valley VOTE board member Carlos Ferreyra. “But these are matters that he has to resolve on his own. I don’t think it’s an issue for Valley VOTE.”

But secession advocates not affiliated with Valley VOTE called Brain a detriment to their fight for a new city north of Mulholland Drive. Harry Coleman, president of the North Hills Community Coordinating Council, said Brain’s financial troubles reflect “poor management” skills.

“Until he gets out of there and we get new leadership, we’ll never sell secession,” Coleman said.

Fiedler Calls for Brain’s Resignation

Former Rep. Bobbi Fiedler, Coleman’s wife, called on Brain to resign, citing both his tax troubles and his decision to move last year from Sherman Oaks to Glendale, just east of the Valley.

The Valley VOTE statement said Brain made a “temporary move” last year after he “met and became involved with an individual who happened to live in Glendale.”

He “has lived in the Valley for over 25 years, and he has been looking for a home back in the Valley for the past several months,” the statement said. Brain declined comment.

Critics jumped on Brain’s tax troubles Friday.

“It’s like the blind leading the blind,” said City Councilman Nate Holden, a secession opponent. “Either this project has credibility or it doesn’t, and the guy who heads it, his credibility seems to be in question.”

Holden added, “He no longer lives in the city. Therefore, he has no standing. “He’s out of here. Good riddance.”

Bert Boeckmann, owner of Galpin Motors and a Valley VOTE benefactor, said Brain had done “an outstanding job” on secession, and his tax delinquency and residency are private matters.

“I would almost feel it’s inappropriate to put that kind of information in the newspaper,” Boeckmann said.

Brain has said the liens overstate his tax debt, which he put at $30,000 to $40,000. He also said he plans to challenge the business tax judgment won by the city.