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.

The Latest Update Oct 30, 1998

Can You Help? – Valley VOTE is seeking to cover as many of the November 3^rd polling places as possible to collect signatures. Volunteers are planning to collect signatures at as many polling places as we can cover between the hours of 7-10 am and 4-8pm. There are over 500 polling places so more volunteers are needed.

With only four weeks and 20,000 more signatures needed to reach our goal of 200,000 signatures, Election day signatures could be decisive on whether the drive is successful. If you support this petition drive and can help collect signatures at your poll for 2 hours, 1 hour or even 15 minutes then we urge you to call and help. Call Valley VOTE at (818) 501-5862 or just go to your polling place and collect a few signatures. Some employers who are unable to help are allowing their workers to collect signatures for a few hours. This is our last big chance to collect signatures at an event on a special day. The petition drive deadline is November 27^th.

Special Thanks – A special thanks goes to the Radison Hotel, especially Sidney Caplan and Wes Calverly who have provided rooms at no cost to a number of the professional signature gatherers who have come into the Valley from other parts of the State to help out in the final weeks of the Valley’s petition drive.

Influential Civic Leader Enters Debate on Future of City and the Valley – Lodwrick Cook, the dean of corporate, civic and philanthropic leadership in Los Angeles entered the discussion on Valley Cityhood and Charter Reform in an indepth Daily News interview that ran October 20^th. Mr. Cook is a resident of the San Fernando Valley and retired Chairman of ARCO. In the article Mr. Cook discussed that the city is at a critical crossroads and might be better off if the San Fernando Valley seceded, stating that "The City is just too big." Mr. Cook went on to say that the sheer size of Los Angeles means a lot of inefficiencies and he believes that if the Valley left Los Angeles, it might be better for the rest of Los Angeles as well. Mr. Cook believes that people in neighborhoods need to be empowered to effect change. "If it (the Valley) had its own city government, people could focus on issues of culture and on business interests" Cook said. "It could be revitalized. After all, it’s been stumbling along on its own pretty well."

San Pedro, Wilmington and Eagle Rock begin Cityhood Petition Drives – Last Saturday, Eagle Rock Residents kicked off their own Cityhood Study Petition drive at their annual Eagle Rock Festival. Then, on Wednesday San Pedro and Wilmington kicked off their own petition drive as well. San Pedro and Wilmington who have combined to form Harbor VOTE kicked off their petition drive in dramatic fashion outside the entry to a Charter Reform Commission hearing that was being held in their community. Because these areas are much smaller than the Valley, Eagle Rock only needs 3500 valid signatures while San Pedro/Wilmington need approximately 15,000 signatures. At the San Pedro kickoff Councilman Rudy Svornich and Charter Commissioner Janice Hahn (sister of City Attorney James Hahn) quickly stepped up and signed the petition. Other areas disappointed by what appears to be a lack of meaningful Charter Reform in Los Angeles are expected to start similar petition drives.

Victory Party For the San Fernando Valley – A Valley wide celebration has been scheduled for Sunday, December 6^th, at 1:00 PM in the Auditorium of Valley Presbyterian Hospital. The Victory Party will also serve as an important fundraiser as the Valley moves to the next step which is the LAFCO Study. The suggested contribution for the Party/Fundraiser will be $75 per person or $135 per couple. The event will be in the Jean and David Fleming Auditorium at Valley Presbyterian Hospital, 15107 Vanowen Street. It is hosted by Bert Boeckmann, David Fleming Valley VOTE and many of the Valley organizations who have supported the petition Drive. The event will be a very special ceremony, lots of fun and an important fundraiser. To purchase tickets, please send your check to Valley VOTE, 14622 Ventura Blvd, #201-B, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. Make your reservation today. Space is limited.

Need more petitions? – Call (818) 501-5862 if you need more petitions. Return all finished petitions as soon as possible.

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