Valley VOTE is a diverse, Valley-wide coalition of San Fernando Valley residents, educators, business leaders, community activists and organizations who support a LAFCO study (Los Angeles County Local Agency Formation Commission) on the issue of creating an independent Valley City.

Note this is a letter concerns this groups concern with volley secession.

Xavier Flores
Pueblo Y Salud, Inc.
1024 North McClay #M13
San Fernando, CA 91340

December 5, 1998

Dear Xavier:

I am glad we had an opportunity to speak last night in depth about the upcoming forum and how we might coordinate our efforts in a constructive manner in the future. The question of Valley Cityhood is perhaps the most important issue facing the people of the San Fernando Valley in half a century. It is absolutely essential that the entire Valley Community participate in exploring this important question. Valley VOTE has religiously welcomed you, Irene and others to participate in the discussions that have taken place to date on Cityhood even if you choose not to join the Valley VOTE Coalition. While you have not taken us up on our offer thus far, please know that our Board of Directors is diverse in its representation and we will continue to send both of you all our meeting notices, as we have done for the last year and a half, as an open invitation.

It is regrettable that some segments of the media are determined to portray division between us. As we discussed, I would propose a joint press conference or letter in which we support each others right to explore this issue and explaining there is not division among us, and that in time we look forward to sharing the concerns and ideas of each group together. Let me assure you that Valley VOTE welcomes any forum that results in more discussion and debate on the issue of Valley Cityhood. Furthermore, Valley VOTE is happy to provide any information we may have that the members of your consortium may wish to review or consider. More importantly we would welcome any input that comes from the participants of the Forum because we value their input.

Valley VOTE is a diverse coalition of community groups including many from the Northeast Valley. Many of these groups support a study of Valley cityhood because they believe the studies will highlight that the North East Valley is notoriously under served in terms of public services and representation. They are convinced that the North East Valley and its residents would benefit the most from the local empowerment that might result if Cityhood occurred. In the meantime I look forward to closer communication between us and working toward a unified Valley.

Jeff Brain, President

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