San Fernando Valley Government

Opening a new front in the war over municipal divorce, city officials contended Friday in a report that secession would risk serious financial damage to both a new San Fernando Valley city and the rest of Los Angeles. The city's first formal study of secession was a setback for Valley cityhood proponents, who want the issue on the November 2002 ballot.

A new San Fernando Valley city should receive its pro rata share of all city assets, including the Department of Water and Power and airports, through joint powers agreements or special districts, the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn. said Thursday. In a position paper, VICA also called for a Valley city to continue to receive services from Los Angeles during a three-year, post-secession transition.

A new San Fernando Valley city should receive its prorated share of all city assets, including the Department of Water and Power and airports, through joint powers agreements or special districts, the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn. said Thursday. In a position paper, the group also called for a Valley city to continue to receive services from Los Angeles during a three-year, post-secession transition.

Comparing it to an "inquisition" shrouded in secrecy, a leading San Fernando Valley activist said Monday he will not attend a closed-door discussion called by Roman Catholic Cardinal Roger M. Mahony on the morality of secession. Richard Close, chairman of the secession group Valley VOTE, said he expects that a group of Valley religious leaders will appear instead on Wednesday. "Because of the secretive nature of the proceedings, I feel it's inappropriate for me to attend," Close said.

Comparing it to an "inquisition" shrouded in secrecy, a leading San Fernando Valley activist Monday refused to attend a closed-door discussion called by Roman Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahony on the morality of secession. Richard Close, chairman of the secession group Valley VOTE, said he expects that a group of Valley religious leaders will appear instead on Wednesday. "Because of the secretive nature of the proceedings, I feel it's inappropriate for me to attend," Close said.

A top aide to Mayor Richard Riordan said he told a panel of religious and civic leaders Thursday that the San Fernando Valley's proposal to break away from Los Angeles will hurt all residents, especially the poor. Addressing a committee appointed by Cardinal Roger Mahony to investigate the ethical and moral implications of secession, Deputy Mayor Bill Violante said during the closed-door hearing that breaking up Los Angeles will not benefit anyone.

The root causes of the movement to break up Los Angeles and alternatives to keep the city together will be explored at a daylong symposium scheduled Feb. 5 at the Sheraton Universal, organizers said Friday. Serving as event host will be the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley, Reason Foundation and the CIVIC Foundation.

The road to cityhood for Hollywood got a little rougher Wednesday when a splinter group asked to stick with Los Angeles and a county panel balked at tapping funds set aside for a review of San Fernando Valley secession. Hollywood cityhood proponent Gene La Pietra said he was not discouraged and believes the proposal will still make the November 2002 ballot. "This process was never intended to be easy," he said. "This is just one of those bumps in the road."

Breaking up the Los Angeles Fire Department would reduce its flexibility and effectiveness in dealing with major brush fires and high-rise blazes, a top fire official warned at a City Hall hearing on secession Tuesday. Deputy Chief John Callahan said the most logical arrangement to maintain quality would be for any new cities, such as in the San Fernando Valley or the Harbor area, to contract with the Los Angeles city department.

Breaking up the Los Angeles Fire Department would reduce its effectiveness in fighting major brush fires and high-rise blazes, a top fire official said Tuesday during a City Hall hearing on secession efforts. Deputy Chief John Callahan said the best way to maintain quality fire protection should new cities be created in the San Fernando Valley or the Harbor area is for the municipalities to contract with the existing department.