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Shame on Alex Padilla – LA City Council President!

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Alex Padilla has taken the steps necessary to remove longtime LAFCO Commissioner and Valley Councilman Hal Bernson and replace him with Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, a non-Valley resident and THE MOST VOCAL CRITIC OF VALLEY CITYHOOD. This was done in an attempt to manipulate the LAFCO process and stack the deck against Valley residents once again.

What is worse is this was done by one of our own who has turned his back on his own constituents and the greater Valley community. Hal Bernson says that Alex Padilla sold out the residents of the Valley in order to win the position of Council President, and the power that goes along with it.

Alex told us that he’d be neutral, but placing the council’s most ardent Valley Independence opponent on the commission and removing Hal Bernson, is a slap in the face, a selling out of each and every Valley resident. Cindy will attempt to delay the process and prevent a vote on this very important question in November 2002. Alex’s thirst for power and title has caused him to turn his back on the very people he represents.

If this was a dictator in another country throwing roadblocks or manipulating a democratic process that would give the public a right to vote on their own independence we would all be outraged and furious. Its happening right here. First Alex Padilla alienated the African American community of Los Angeles by omitting them from key City Council Committees that address issues important to the inner city.

Now he has alienated the people of the San Fernando Valley by manipulating the LAFCO Study process to block the Valley’s 20 year desire to vote on independence from Los Angeles. What is he going to do next cancel Christmas?

Every resident of the Valley has a right to feel betrayed by Alex Padilla’s actions. In the last election for city council in the 7th district only 18,000 people voted. [that's only 26% of the registered voters] Meanwhile, 53,000 people in the northeast Valley signed the Valley Cityhood petitions. They want to get the facts about Valley Cityhood and they want a chance to vote.

Alex has taken it upon himself to interfere with this process…he has lost his ideals that brought him to politics as a young man with lots of promise. Someday he will have to reconcile his soul with what he has done to the 1.4 million Valley residents.

We have several options:

1) Every Valley resident who feels that Padilla sold out the Valley should call his office and register their discontent. His Valley office is (213) 847-7777. His Fax number is 213-847-0707.

2) There is a credible move among the council members to have Alex replaced as Council President. You can call your Council member and encourage them to support changing the Council President if a new vote is held.

3) We are hearing talk by people in the north-east Valley that they are so upset with Alex that they are interested in launching a recall petition drive. There are approximately 68,000 registered voters in the 7th district and a recall drive would require 15% or 10,200 signatures in a 120 day period. Do you encourage a recall petition drive of Alex? Would you be willing to contribute to a recall organization if one was formed by north-east valley residents?

We must let elected officials know that they cannot turn their backs on their constituents. That is what Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment is ultimately about. That is what our push toward Valley Cityhood represents. Accountability! Responsibility to the people you represent! Better local government!

Please make a call and register your discontent. Do it for your sake. Do it for the sake of your children and grandchildren. Do it for the sake of every person around the world who has ever fought for their own freedom and independence only to have a misguided arrogant political leader decide that his own interests and power outweigh the general will of the public who simply want independence. That is what is happening right here in the San Fernando Valley in 2001. That is what Alex Padilla has done to his own people in the San Fernando Valley. Express your outrage.

Thank you. Please pass this on to others on your email and fax lists.

Jeff Brain President Valley VOTE

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