Legal Hurdles Tax Valley Secession

Re “No Free Land for Valley City, Lawyer Says,” Nov. 27:

What am I missing here? It seems that for years now I, as a citizen of Los Angeles, have been paying my taxes, of which a portion went to construct and maintain city parks, libraries, firehouses and police stations, garbage trucks, street sweepers, fire trucks and police cars in all parts of the city. To have to pay again for these facilities, as Los Angeles County Counsel Lloyd W. Pellman advised would be necessary, is, in my opinion, illegal.

However, if that plan were to take effect upon secession, then, in all fairness, we Valley citizens should be paid for the cost of the city facilities that would remain in the city that we have helped pay for--and are still paying for.

Pellman comments that the state Constitution bars any “taking” of assets from Los Angeles in the same way it prohibits seizure of property from private citizens without “just compensation.” The Valley would not be taking assets not belonging to it; we already own them.

I’ve worked with lawyers in the past and it’s my opinion they can be persuaded to say most anything that is a benefit to their clients. Come on, City Hall, play fair. All we ask is a fair shake and a chance to govern ourselves.

Bruce Monkman

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