Valley Secession Could Squeeze the Unions

Re “Unions Ready to Fight L.A. Breakup Plans,” June 22: As a middle-class union man, I can only thank both Studio City attorney David Fleming and Richard Close, president of the secession group Valley VOTE, for their glib statements regarding unions, thereby providing another nail in the coffin of the secession movement.

Close: “Let’s face it. The municipal unions are part of the problem. They control the City Council. Luckily there are a lot more people in the Valley who are concerned about quality of life in the Valley rather than city employees’ pension plans.” No. Luckily there are unions that will help me get a decent wage and the prospect of a pleasant retirement. No double dipping for me!

Fleming: “Unions don’t recognize the fact that the overall job is to deliver services at low costs.” You want low costs? Perhaps the new city would just drive along Oxnard Street and pick up the day laborers seeking $5 an hour. Low cost, no payroll taxes to pay, no pension. They do work hard. Yeah, that’s the ticket. Are you listening, all you union members out there?

Arnie Moore

Sherman Oaks

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The City Hall folks who answer our telephone calls, put us on hold and then give us double talk are upset because the people in the Valley and Hollywood want answers. The people who fail to fix our streets or clear away abandoned cars and furniture are fearful of losing their jobs because we really want those things done. The teachers union that has excelled in creating thousands of car-wash graduates vows to fight our efforts to provide a good education for our children. Is it any wonder why we are trying to get away from L.A.?

Al Anderson

Van Nuys

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The new name for the Valley city should be Costsalot, not, Camelot, since the electric, water and sewer rates will all shoot up through the roof with the proposed divorce. Let’s think plenty before we vote in November.

Sigrid Hawkes

Sunland