Valley Secession Group Facing Its Own Breakup

As the final election tally showed Tuesday that San Fernando Valley cityhood lost by a wide margin, the secession group Valley VOTE finds itself struggling to maintain its leadership role, with some members pursuing other interests, including forming separate groups to advocate for the area.

The final results from the Nov. 5 election on Valley cityhood released by the Los Angeles County registrar-recorder showed that 66.9% of voters citywide voted against the measure, even though it won a very slight majority in the Valley. There, the cityhood measure won 50.7% of the vote.

While unsuccessful overall, the majority Valley vote for cityhood sent a message to city leaders, Valley VOTE Chairman Richard Close said.

“History was made on Nov. 5 -- a majority of Valley residents voted to form their own city,” Close said. “Unless the mayor and City Council make substantial changes, it will occur. It may take a couple of years, but it will occur.”

Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment held a public meeting Tuesday night to consider future goals.

Among the nearly 60 secession supporters gathered in Mission Hills, there was a broad consensus to mount another cityhood drive. Several of those present voiced support for changing state law to allow elections in which only the Valley would vote on cityhood.

Valley VOTE President Jeff Brain said the makeup of the Legislature might make such a change in state law difficult so the effort may have to wait.

Meanwhile, cracks in the Valley VOTE front have begun to show.

Earlier in the day, Carlos Ferreyra said he had tentatively decided to step down from the Valley VOTE board, though later he said he was reconsidering his decision after other board members asked him to stay involved.

Bob Scott, another board member, said the group’s mission ended with the election. “I will have to decide whether to reengage with that particular organization,” he said.

Several board members, including Scott, treasurer Ricky Gelb and Bill Powers, have met with Assemblyman Keith Richman (R-Northridge), the top vote-getter for Valley mayor, about forming a new group to advocate for the Valley.