Group’s Secession Support On Hold

To the delight of anti-secessionists, the leaders of San Fernando Valley’s largest business group Wednesday postponed its expected launch of a campaign supporting a split from Los Angeles.

Delegates for the San Fernando Valley United Chambers of Commerce said they need more time to study the secession measure on the Nov. 5 ballot. They voted 17-16 to delay taking a formal stand on secession until their meeting in July.

Last month, the group’s governmental affairs committee recommended that the chambers support a municipal divorce.

“It’s troubling to me,” said Williams Powers Jr., chairman of the group, which includes 25 chambers and a professional organization.

He is also an executive board member for Valley VOTE, which is spearheading the breakaway movement.

Powers chastised chamber representatives who said they needed to poll members and pore over a state commission’s report on secession, which was released last month.

The chambers have had ample time to make an informed decision on secession, Powers said.

“I would encourage all of you to take action,” Powers said.

He predicted the group will decide next month to support secession.

Kam Kuwata, Mayor James K. Hahn’s political strategist, said the hesitancy of the chamber leaders showed how little people know about secession. “There’s also the uncertainty and possible risk,” he said.

Last month, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce announced its opposition to secession movements in the Valley and Hollywood.

Meanwhile, Hahn on Wednesday praised the decision of Van Nuys Homeowners Assn. President Don Schultz, a former Valley VOTE member, to oppose secession. Hahn called Schultz’s action a sign that support for the breakup is crumbling.

The mayor’s fight against secession also picked up the support of the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee, which voted unanimously Tuesday night to oppose a breakup.

“While we acknowledge there are problems, most acutely felt by residents of Valley, we felt the best solution is for us all to roll up our sleeves and work to make the city better rather than break it up piece by piece,” said committee Chairman Eric Bauman.

Also Wednesday, the board of the Police Protective League, the labor union for Los Angeles police officers, held a closed-door meeting on secession and a source said afterward that the organization will soon announce its opposition.