Valley District Remap Being Rethought

The Los Angeles Redistricting Commission is considering changes to the City Council district boundaries it has proposed for the San Fernando Valley, to reduce fracturing of communities and avoid tainting an election, officials said Friday.

At the direction of commission Chairman John Emerson, the panel’s staff has begun developing optional plans, including putting 2nd Council District candidates Wendy Greuel and Tony Cardenas, who face off in a March 5 election, in the same new district.

A draft map released last week would split the 2nd District in two, with Greuel living in a district extending from Sunland-Tujunga to Encino, and Cardenas living in a district extending from his home in Panorama City to Sun Valley.

Consequently, Greuel has campaigned in Sunland-Tujunga, telling voters that Cardenas would not be their council member even if they voted for him, but she would be if she won.

Under last week’s proposal, if Greuel won the election, she could represent the new Valley district that includes Sunland-Tujunga, but if Cardenas won, either Cindy Miscikowski or Ruth Galanter might represent it.

The proposed split has angered many voters in the district.

“It’s absolutely outrageous,” said Nina Royal of the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council. “It totally confuses the voters.” Emerson said Friday that he would propose a new district that included both candidates’ homes, as well as Sunland-Tujunga.

The proposal will be formally presented at a hearing Monday evening in Woodland Hills.