Valley VOTE and Cityhood Studies

* Re “VOTE Should Show Its Hand,” April 12.

Valley VOTE is a diverse, Valleywide coalition of San Fernando Valley residents, educators, business leaders, community activists and organizations who support a [Local Agency Formation Commission] study on the issue of creating an independent Valley city. This is not just the “party line,” it is the truth.

There is no hidden agenda here. Some members of Valley VOTE firmly support creating an independent city in the Valley. Many others want to see the study results before they decide.

A recently announced study showed that an independent Valley transit authority could cut fares, run buses more often and still operate 25% less expensively than the [Metropolitan Transportation Authority]. If the LAFCO study on Valley independence shows similar results, there is little doubt that voters on both sides of the hills will see the wisdom in creating an independent Valley city.

Not even the wealthy downtown interests will be able to stop it.

STEVEN G. PEARL

Studio City

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* I couldn’t help but notice the irony in The Times position against the Valley’s effort to explore cityhood. Valley leaders want to explore creating their own city because they feel that Los Angeles is too large and unmanageable. Basically, one shoe does not fit all. They want local control and feel that the issues affecting the San Pedro area are different from the issues affecting the Westside residents and [that] the issues affecting the Valley are also different. It seems like they may have a point.

Isn’t that why The Times has different editions of their newspaper for the different areas of the city? They recognized a long time ago that Los Angeles is too large and that different areas have different needs and issues. That is why they effectively broke the city into smaller more manageable units or editions. Their regional editions are more tailored to the local needs of the different geographic areas.

FRANK B. CRAMER

Mission Hills

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* I am so disappointed with the article you wrote regarding Valley VOTE.

Valley VOTE is taking the right approach. There is no reason for Valley VOTE, or anyone, to make a final decision about secession today. Exploring Valley cityhood is a long and involved process. As the process unfolds, all the questions about cityhood, such as the benefits and pitfalls, will be uncovered. We need to start the process of exploring this option for the Valley. What happens if charter reform doesn’t work?

While many of us support cityhood for the Valley, it is important that groups like Valley VOTE remain committed to an objective search of the facts and moving the process forward.

LAURA DI GILIO

Chatsworth

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* I think Valley VOTE remaining neutral on Valley secession and reserving judgment while pushing for a full study of the facts and putting the issue of Valley cityhood to a vote of the public is the right approach. This way the public will have the facts and can make an informed decision before they are asked to vote on the issue.

JAN NOVELLI

Reseda