Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment
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14622 Ventura
Blvd. #201B
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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.
MTA snubs San Fernando Valley residents and businesses - Again! - Anyone who questions why San Fernando Valley residents are upset and demanding change should look at the action taken by the MTA on Monday, November 9th. As reported in both the LA Times and the Daily News the MTA Board on Monday rejected funding any mass transit projects in the San Fernando Valley when approving in principle $1 billion in transportation spending for the next five years. You heard it right… they rejected any funding for Mass Transit in the San Fernando Valley. Valley residents have a right to be furious!!
Over the last 10 years Valley residents and businesses have paid more than 1.3 billion in Prop A and C funds (taxes) which are to be used for Mass Transit. Yet we have nothing to show for it. The San Fernando Valley represents 50% of the geographic area of Los Angeles City. The other 50% of Los Angeles, south of Mulholland, has a red line, blue line and green line all up and running.
Even after 186,000 Valley residents have signed the petition calling for a study of Valley Cityhood they don’t take us seriously. To them the San Fernando Valley is a big fat cash cow to be milked over and over. Mayor Riordan has been a strong supporter of the Valley receiving its fair share of services. Once again, Mayor Riordan came to the Valley’s aid as he argued on our behalf. However, again he was out voted. The opposition was led by Gloria Molina, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and Richard Alatorre. Finally in frustration, Mayor Riordan exclaimed... "No wonder they want to secede." to which Supervisor Burke replied "Let them secede". Many believe the situation will not improve until the Valley becomes its own city with its own representation.
The MTA’s action is just the latest example of how Valley residents are being short changed. For example, the City is spending over $350 million to rehab the Cityhall building downtown while our Cityhall building in Van Nuys still sits fenced off from the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The City Council approved a $3 billion dollar plan called the "ten minute diamond" which seeks to have all government buildings within a 10 minute walk of the downtown Cityhall. How will this benefit the quality of life for San Fernando Valley residents? Yet San Fernando Valley residents will likely pay a third or $1 billion in taxes to fund this extravagant plan. Residents who are tired of being short changed of important public services including mass transit and essential emergency services year after year, should send a message by signing the Petition for a study of Valley Cityhood. We must let our elected officials know we want change!
Petition Deadline is Midnight November 27th -They said the Valley couldn’t do it! They said we had no reason to complain! They said support for exploring Valley Cityhood was a mile wide but only an inch deep. Well the Valley has shown them differently! As of last week Valley residents had collected over 186,000 signatures. Even our opponents are stunned. But our work is not done. The San Fernando Valley’s goal is 200,000 signatures. With just three weeks left to go we it will be close. Call (818) 501-5862 if you need more petitions. Signatures can be collected until midnight November 27th. PLEASE return finished petitions as soon as possible.
Who are the Top Signature Collectors: Through the long hot summer a number of volunteers persisted day in and day out to collect signatures. The top collectors to date are: Pat Cook 1,324; Laura DiGilo 1,186; Melissa Scribner 1,043; Jan Novelli 979; Chuck Betz 712; Sarah & Cornelis Jongepier 594; Duncan Smith 577. To date completed petitions have been turned in by over 1,500 different dedicated volunteers. They are the true stars of this campaign and deserve the gratitude of everyone who supports a study of Valley Cityhood. A special thanks to all of you!
San Pedro and Eagle Rock off and running – One week after starting their petition drive, San Pedro and Wilmington have collected 25% of their required signatures. Eagle Rock collected 10% of their required signatures in their first week.
Gala Party for the San Fernando Valley planned – Many people have been instrumental in the success of the Valley’s Petition Drive. A Victory Party is planned for Valley leaders, activists and volunteers. The party, hosted by Bert Boeckman and David Fleming is also serving as a fundraiser to help raise funds for the LAFCO Study process. The suggested contribution for the Party/Fundraiser is $75 per person or $135 per couple. To purchase tickets, please send your check to Valley VOTE, 14622 Ventura Blvd, #201-B, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. Anyone interested in helping to organize the party should call (818) 501-5862 or Judy Ferreyra (818) 782-1145.
SUPPORT THE PETITION DRIVE
Please help and contribute to support this Valley-wide effort: