LABJ Forum: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

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LABJ Forum: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

Chances are increasing that secession of the San Fernando Valley, the San Pedro/Wilmington area and Hollywood from the City of Los Angeles will appear on the November 5 ballot. A recent Los Angeles Times poll showed support for secession was 55 percent in the Valley and 47 percent citywide. Both a Valley-wide and citywide majority would be required. So the Business Journal asks: Do you think secession will be approved by voters and what is your position on the issue?

Paul Birchall

General Manager

Avalon Hotel,

Beverly Hills

Just as Beverly Hills and Santa Monica are cities, it makes clear sense that the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood and the Harbor would also be successful as independent cities. Los Angeles is so diverse and widespread. Neighborhoods tend to have perceived personalities, which include politics and cultural activities. City autonomy would provide the residents with easier access to representatives and a wide variety of personalized city services. This in turn will foster and encourage residents to become more involved within their own communities.

Robert J. Skousen

Chief Executive

Skousen & Skousen

I think secession efforts will succeed because people believe, correctly or incorrectly, that big government is not responsive to their needs. People also believe that a smaller city will provide better schools. Los Angeles Unified School District seems inefficient and provides a poor education for many of its students. The first step in creating a better educational system is to have a smaller, more responsive city. There are many examples of smaller cities that provide better schools if the city residents get involved in the educational politics.

Marla Bowron

Director of Business Development

CNI Design

I don’t agree with secession and I would like to see the city stay in tact, certainly in the San Fernando Valley. From what I’ve read, it’s going to increase the costs in the San Fernando Valley for police and fire and would create duplicate infrastructure and duplicate infrastructure costs. I think there is some psychological connection to L.A. that I would struggle with.

Dan Baker

President

Absinthe Pictures LLC

While independence may sound very attractive to some constituencies, it is the diverse demographics represented in the political structure of Los Angeles that make this city so wonderful. By fragmenting the city, I fear that we will lose the checks and balances we have today in our elections and fiscal policies. Independence may sound like a fine idea, but the grass is not always greener.

Scott Caswell

Partner

Delphi Business Properties

I hope it does succeed. I think it’s very justified because the San Fernando Valley has been a tremendous source of revenue, and I don’t believe the funds have been proportionally distributed. I’m tired of having streets with weeds and sidewalks that have cracks and general sub-par conditions.

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