Secession Opponents Pull for L.A. Together

Re “Powerful Team Joins Hahn Bid to Stop Valley Secession,” May 24: I have my share of disagreements with the current mayor, his predecessor and the other former candidates, but it is nice to see them all come together to push for one L.A. The diversity is what makes L.A. Much of this will be lost if the San Fernando Valley separates.

If the Valley thinks it can become another West Hollywood or Beverly Hills, it is mistaken. It will likely become a poor version of Los Angeles, losing much of what makes the San Fernando Valley such a great place.

Selby Jessup

Los Angeles

*

The Los Angeles city leaders’ argument against Valley secession doesn’t hold up. Allowing people the opportunity to determine their own community enhances representative government and citizen involvement. Whether it has 88 cities or 89 cities, Los Angeles County remains Los Angeles County, and our 10million citizens will still be Angelenos. The San Fernando Valley is currently composed of eight cities (Glendale, Burbank, San Fernando, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Calabasas, Hidden Hills and the city of Los Angeles). Having a ninth city will continue the Valley’s opportunity for self-government.

Michael D. Antonovich

L.A. County Supervisor

*

Alice in Wonderland is back! I am confused by what I read in the papers about a possible Valley breakaway. First, I read that if the divorce succeeds, the Valley must pay alimony to L.A. because it will miss us and it needs the money. English translation: L.A. says we have been robbing and shortchanging you for many years, Valley. Therefore, you must pay alimony to us, as we can no longer rob you in-house, so to speak. Also, all the civic installations and improvements in your area that you have already paid for, Valley, you will have to pay for again. We need the money. And you don’t mind, do you?

Hal Landy

Woodland Hills

*

Valley secession is a bad idea. Bigger is better. It’s better to have one city that’s the second-biggest city in the United States than two cities that are third and sixth. Not only that, but if L.A. stays together, it could eventually become the biggest city in the United States.

Josh Rivetz

Northridge

*

If we want to be sensible about secession and a proposed borough system, we should start with the county. Los Angeles County should be divided into six to 12 cities of about 1million to 1.5million people each. The cities might be: San Fernando, San Gabriel, Central, Eastside, Westside, North Coast, South Coast, etc. The cities would be somewhat natural geographic, economic and cultural units.

These cities would then be broken into boroughs such as: Hollywood, San Pedro, Santa Monica, Covina, Pasadena, Canoga Park, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, Compton, Torrance ... you get the idea. Much money would be saved by getting rid of duplicating fire, police, street, library and other departments. And we would get better, more-coordinated services.

Porter Ewing

Van Nuys