$30,000 RAISED TO STOP SECESSION.

Byline: Harrison Sheppard Staff Writer

Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn's campaign against San Fernando Valley secession raised $30,000 in contributions in its first first six weeks, according to financial statements released Thursday.

Contributions to Hahn committee L.A. United came from only two sources - engineering and architectural firm HNTB Corp. of Los Angeles, which gave $25,000, and downtown public relations firm Fleishman Hillard Inc., which gave $5,000.

A third firm, Encino-based public relations group Winner & Associates, contributed $25,000 - but the Hahn campaign returned these funds because of concerns over an appearance of conflict of interest. Winner had been handling a multimillion-dollar contract for expansion of Los Angeles International Airport. The PR firm won a renewal after the push for LAX expansion was abandoned but withdrew last month under widespread criticism.

Secession supporters accused the mayor of pressuring contractors who work with the city to contribute.

``What we understand is that the mayor's people are pressuring people who contract with the city to give money to stop Valley cityhood,'' said Richard Close, chairman of Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment. ``I consider it improper. The message is: If you want to do business with the city, you've got to contribute to the antisecession group.''

Hahn campaign consultant Kam Kuwata denied the claim, saying contributors simply support the cause.

``That's nonsense,'' Kuwata said. ``And Richard knows better. People throughout Los Angeles want to keep Los Angeles united. We are better united than we are if we divide the city up, the way a small minority of people desire.''