10 WHO DARE FOR VALLEY MAYOR CANDIDATES DREAM OF BETTER LIVING THROUGH GOVERNMENT.Byline: James Nash Staff Writer The men who want to be mayor of the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. city range in age from the 30s to the 80s and in political views from Democrat to Libertarian. The candidates are African-American, white, Latino and more. They are rich, middle class and lower-income. Several are political neophytes and gadflies, while one is a member of the California Assembly and another served on the MTA (1) (Message Transfer Agent or Mail Transfer Agent) The store and forward part of a messaging system. See messaging system. (2) See M Technology Association. 1. (messaging) MTA - Message Transfer Agent. board. What unites the 10 people who want to lead the proposed new city of 1.3 million is a simple idea: A smaller, more representative government that could respond to the everyday needs of residents better than Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. has. On Nov. 5, at the same time voters decide whether the Valley will separate from Los Angeles, Valley residents will choose a mayor and 14 city council members to govern the new city if it is created. Leaders of the Valley cityhood campaign said they're pleased with the diversity and size of the field. The secession proponents downplayed the relative lack of political experience of most candidates, saying the officeholders would not be big-money politicians using the mayor's position as a steppingstone step·ping·stone n. 1. A stone that provides a place to step, as in crossing a stream. 2. An advantageous position for advancement toward a goal. to another office. ``There are a number of them that I would be comfortable with as Valley mayor,'' said Richard Katz, co-chairman of the Valley Independence Committee. ``All of them have a much better understanding of why the Valley is at this point. They're not beholden be·hold·en adj. Owing something, such as gratitude, to another; indebted. [Middle English biholden, past participle of biholden, to observe; see behold. to the downtown power group.'' As the only citywide elected official in the new municipality MUNICIPALITY. The body of officers, taken collectively, belonging to a city, who are appointed to manage its affairs and defend its interests. , the mayor would serve as the leader and public face of what would be the nation's sixth-largest city as it forms an identity separate from Los Angeles, secession proponents said. Kam Kuwata, adviser to L.A. Mayor James Hahn's anti-secession campaign, declined to comment on the candidates' qualifications, saying he didn't know enough about their backgrounds. But Kuwata said none of the candidates has articulated how he would improve services in the Valley while reducing taxes. ``How are they going to pay for everything that they claim to provide - more services and faster services - and cut taxes?'' Kuwata asked. Voice of the whole A Valley mayor would focus on Valley needs and would lobby for state and federal funds Federal Funds Funds deposited to regional Federal Reserve Banks by commercial banks, including funds in excess of reserve requirements. Notes: These non-interest bearing deposits are lent out at the Fed funds rate to other banks unable to meet overnight reserve , said Richard Close, head of Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment, which pushed to get secession on the ballot. Close said he envisions a Valley run by citizen-legislators who serve for a few years and never lose touch with the communities that elected them. ``They won't be pandering to the unions, pandering to developers,'' Close said. ``They're just trying to make the Valley a better place to work and live in.'' Of the 10 candidates, only one - Keith S Keith may refer to: People with the given name Keith:
n. A man who is a member of a legislative assembly. assemblyman Noun pl -men a member of a legislative assembly Noun 1. from Northridge - has held elective office. Mel Wilson served on the boards of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Los Angeles Fire Commission and the San Fernando Valley Transit Zone Joint Powers Authority A Joint Powers Authority (JPA) is an institution permitted under the laws of some states of the USA, whereby two or more public authorities (e.g. local governments, or utility or transport districts) can operate collectively. as an appointee APPOINTEE. A person who is appointed or selected for a particular purpose; as the appointee under a power, is the person who is to receive the benefit of the trust or power. . Richman and Wilson have established campaign offices and are generally regarded as front-runners in the race. Wilson hasn't always favored Valley secession. But during years of selling real estate from his offices in Woodland Hills and Calabasas, he grew disenchanted dis·en·chant tr.v. dis·en·chant·ed, dis·en·chant·ing, dis·en·chants To free from illusion or false belief; undeceive. [Obsolete French desenchanter, from Old French, with what he says is a business-unfriendly attitude in Los Angeles. Wilson, the general manager of the Woodland Hills and Calabasas Re/Max offices, vows to cut business taxes in the Valley. Wilson said the tax cut would entice businesses to move to the Valley or expand, stimulating the local economy and bringing revenue to the new city to enhance police and firefighter pensions, build environmentally sensitive public-transit networks, and build at least four minicity halls to better serve Valley residents. Although Valley cityhood doesn't translate to a separate Valley school district, Wilson said pushing for a breakup breakup The division of a company into separate parts. The most famous breakup to date was the 1984 division of AT&T (formerly, American Telephone & Telegraph Company). This breakup was intended to increase competition in the communications industry. of the Los Angeles Unified School District The Los Angeles Unified School District (the "LAUSD") is the largest (in terms of number of students) public school system in California and the second-largest in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population. would be a top priority of his administration. He said he supports three separate school districts in the Valley to foster accountability and local control. Wilson said his service on civic committees, trade groups and in business gives him the range of experience needed for the mayor's job. ``When I was appointed to the MTA board, we oversaw o·ver·saw v. Past tense of oversee. a $3.2 billion annual budget,'' he said. ``That gives me the experience to deal with a $1.1 billion (city of San Fernando Valley) budget.'' Richman can claim one thing no other mayoral candidate can: experience as an elected official. He points to his experience as a first-term assemblyman and in his private medical practice. A Richman administration would demand accountability from all layers of city government and would always be available to residents, Richman said. He said he would create seven borough commissions to allow communities in the Valley to govern themselves, while leaving police and fire protection a citywide responsibility. Richman said he would demand the same accountability of the LAUSD LAUSD Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles, CA) , or else lead an effort to break the Valley off from the district. ``Los Angeles City Hall has done practically nothing to engage in the improvement of the schools,'' Richman said. Richman, a Republican, is also on the November ballot for his second term in the Assembly. He said if voters approve secession and he is elected Valley mayor, he will resign from the Assembly. Active ambitions Benny Bernal is a union organizer A union organizer (sometimes spelled "organiser") is a specific type of trade union member (often elected) or an appointed union official. A majority of unions appoint rather than elect their organizers. who ministers to youths and counsels them to stay clear of gangs and crime. As mayor, he said, he would bring a similar activist approach to governing the Valley city. Bernal said he would lead the charge for universal health care for children under 12, as well as preschool for all 4-year-olds. Government needs to take a role in preventing problems rather than simply responding to them, Bernal said. ``It's obvious that we need more police officers,'' Bernal said. ``It's obvious that we need more lighting in certain areas. But it's also obvious that we have to go to the root of the problem.'' Bernal also proposes tax incentives for businesses to give workers days off to be with their children, as well as increased lighting at city parks so that families can participate in sports after dark. Bernal said many of his goals could be accomplished with federal grant money earmarked for child development in health for which Los Angeles currently is shortchanged. As a union leader, however, Bernal said he would not cut expenses by reducing pay and benefits to blue-collar workers blue-collar worker n → obrero/a blue-collar worker n → ouvrier/ère col bleu blue-collar worker n → . Jim Summers is taking his quest for Verb 1. quest for - go in search of or hunt for; "pursue a hobby" quest after, go after, pursue look for, search, seek - try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of; "The police are searching for clues"; "They are searching for the local control to his campaign for mayor. The president and co-founder of the Old Granada Hills Residents' Group, Summers said he fought against overdevelopment Overdevelopment refers to a process by which natural resources are impacted by urbanization and/or road construction, at a rate significantly harmful to the ecosystem. Environmental activism is a frequent response to overdevelopment, as well as are many fields of academic study. in Granada Hills and would apply the philosophy of controlled growth and local control to the entire Valley. Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. members depend too much on political
contributions from developers who are trying to win approval for their
projects, Summers said. Summers said he is funding his campaign for
Valley mayor to avoid outside influences.
``I have no favors - I don't owe anybody,'' he said. Summers said he would work to bring government closer to the people by establishing boroughs and a system of neighborhood councils Neighborhood councils are governmental or non-governmental bodies composed of local people who handle neighborhood problems. They can be found in many cities throughout the world. to serve as liaisons between communities and elected officials. He said he would require city managers and department heads to spend 10 hours to 20 hours a month with the public to keep the government accessible. In addition, the new city should make it easier for citizens to recall elected officials from office, he said. Henry Divina says his multiethnic mul·ti·eth·nic adj. Of, relating to, or including several ethnic groups. Adj. 1. multiethnic - involving several ethnic groups multi-ethnic background - he is of Filipino, Spanish and Chinese descent - mirrors that of the Valley. A certified public accountant Certified Public Accountant (CPA) An accountant who has met certain standards, including experience, age, and licensing, and passed exams in a particular state. and retired U.S. Department of Defense auditor, Divina said he would bring a mathematical rigor rigor /rig·or/ (rig´er) [L.] chill; rigidity. rigor mor´tis the stiffening of a dead body accompanying depletion of adenosine triphosphate in the muscle fibers. to the job of mayor. ``People have to be knowledgeable and apply their skills (toward government),'' Divina said. ``I have a very good background with the Department of Defense.'' Although the city would employ its own accountants and auditors, Divina said he would set the tone of an efficient, financially conservative city hall that is free of politics. The current Los Angeles city leadership is too political and doesn't always spend money wisely, Divina said. Divina said that under his leadership, a new Valley city would work closely with private businesses to reduce unemployment. A lower unemployment rate would mean less crime and a better quality of life, he said. Bruce Boyer is the only candidate who has announced that he rejects the terms of Valley cityhood. Boyer says the Local Agency Formation Commission's terms - which include an estimated $1.2 billion in payments from the Valley to the remainder of Los Angeles over a 20-year period after secession - are invalid because LAFCO LAFCO Local Agency Formation Commission LAFCO Los Angeles Filmmakers Cooperative itself is not an elected body. Boyer labels the payments ``extortion'' and said he's the only candidate with the backbone to lead the Valley through its struggle to break away from Los Angeles. ``It's gonna be a war,'' Boyer said. ``The only thing you can do in a war, if you can't avoid it, is to win it.'' Boyer, a Libertarian, also breaks from the other candidates in opposing rent control, which he said leads to slums and vast disparities among renters. Boyer said he would push to drastically reduce the size and scope of city government, which he said would lower taxes and stimulate business. Boyer said he is qualified by his experience, having started a security and alarm business 12 years ago and presided over its growth. Looking back, forward David Hernandez remembers a time when the Valley fairly brimmed brim n. 1. The rim or uppermost edge of a hollow container or natural basin. 2. A projecting rim or edge: the brim of a hat. 3. A border or an edge. See Synonyms at border. with prosperity and possibilities for its residents. A Valley resident since 1955, Hernandez said he's running for mayor to help recapture the sense of unity and economic opportunity. Hernandez also is on the Nov. 5 ballot as the Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in the 28th District, where Democrat Howard Berman Howard Lawrence "Howie" Berman (born April 15 1941) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1983, representing the 28th District of California (map). has served for nearly 20 years. Hernandez said if he is elected to both offices ``I'd go buy a lotto ticket,'' because of the unlikelihood of the scenario. Hernandez said his time on the campaign trail for Congress has put him in touch with the concerns of Valley residents. In his mayoral bid, Hernandez is emphasizing basic services basic services, n.pl frequently insurance companies split dental procedures into basic and major categories. Basic services usually consist of diagnostic, preventive, and routine restorative dental services. such as health care - he opposes closing county-run clinics - and transportation - he says he would advocate new light-rail lines. ``I've been listening to people in communities for 11 months,'' Hernandez said. ``I've heard a lot of problems and talked to a lot of people.'' Hernandez said he would hold monthly town-hall meetings as mayor to gather input from residents about how to make the Valley a better place to live. Marc Strassman envisions a Valley where every household has at least one computer and Internet access See how to access the Internet. , where the computers are an integral tool of democracy and where solar energy solar energy, any form of energy radiated by the sun, including light, radio waves, and X rays, although the term usually refers to the visible light of the sun. provides electricity to thousands. Strassman mentions computers and the Internet as a solution to many of the Valley's woes, from crime to economic stagnation Economic stagnation, often called simply stagnation is a prolonged period of slow economic growth (traditionally measured in terms of the GDP growth). By some definitions, "slow" means that it is significantly slower than a potential growth as estimated by experts in . Other candidates have a less-radical vision, one that will result in the Valley simply becoming a smaller version of Los Angeles, Strassman said. ``They're talking about shuffling resources around,'' he said. ``We're talking about creating new resources and truly empowering people through e-government. If we're going through all this trouble for secession, we might as well create something new and different and interesting.'' Providing for poor Strassman said he would set to work immediately on providing computers and Internet access for poor people, the lack of which has prevented them from participating fully in the economic, social, political and cultural life of America, he said. Computer networks would allow people to weigh in on local issues online, as well as see what their government is doing, Strassman said. Leonard Shapiro's license plate sums up his political identity: GADFLYY. He said he has attended Los Angeles City Council meetings for the past 22 years and knows firsthand first·hand adj. Received from the original source: firsthand information. first the dismissive, often indifferent, attitude of city leaders toward their constituents. More importantly, Shapiro said, he knows the recent history of Los Angeles well enough not to repeat the mistakes of city leaders. ``I know where all the bodies are buried,'' Shapiro said. ``I know all the stuff that goes on and how to make it not continue in the Valley.'' Shapiro said his top priorities would be to make city government more responsive to residents and to clean up waste and corruption. He would accomplish the latter goal by establishing one commission to ensure that city officials implement the recommendations of audits and another to investigate all city departments to work toward a more efficient and effective government. Shapiro said he served on local government panels in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of and Florida and ran a distribution business in Los Angeles, which combined with his knowledge of Los Angeles city government qualifies him for the position. Gregory Roberts says evidence of the Los Angeles city government's inefficiency is all around him. At the corner of Vineland Street and Magnolia Avenue, for instance, is a collection of trees and flowers where a bus shelter bus shelter bus n → abribus m bus shelter n → Wartehäuschen nt bus shelter n → pensilina ( and sidewalks should be, he said. Roberts calls himself a ``public corruption fighter,'' although he said his attempts to bring corruption to light have been hindered by his battle with epilepsy and by security guards' attempts to keep him out of public meetings. He said he has personally been the victim of a city government that ranges from indifferent to hostile. Roberts said he is part of a new breed of Valley politicians who spurn donations and don't view the mayoral position as a steppingstone to higher office. ``If you want something done, you're supposed to write letters to city leaders,'' Roberts said. ``Most of the letters to City Hall just dead-end with the receptionist writing messages.'' Roberts accused city leaders of squandering squan·der tr.v. squan·dered, squan·der·ing, squan·ders 1. To spend wastefully or extravagantly; dissipate. See Synonyms at waste. 2. public money on corrupt projects - which he did not specify - and said he would redirect the money into basic social services social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales . ``Every day in the newspaper there's something that involves public corruption,'' he said. Race for mayor BENITO ``BENNY'' BERNAL Age: 38 Occupation: Educator and union organizer Residence: Mission Hills Web site: none HENRY DUKE DIVINA Age: 62 Occupation: Retired accountant Residence: Chatsworth Web site: none KEITH S. RICHMAN Age: 48 Occupation: State Assemblyman, physician Residence: Northridge Web site: keithrichman.org BRUCE J. BOYER Age: 41 Occupation: Alarm company manager Residence: Reseda Web site: www.bruceformayor.com DAVID R. HERNANDEZ JR. Age: 54 Occupation: Insurance adjuster Residence: Valley Village Web site: www.davidrhernandez.com GREGORY EAGLE ROBERTS Age: 52 Occupation: Unemployed Residence: North Hollywood Web site: none LEONARD SHAPIRO Age: 82 Occupation: Retired businessman, newspaper columnist Noun 1. newspaper columnist - a columnist who writes for newspapers agony aunt - a newspaper columnist who answers questions and offers advice on personal problems to people who write in columnist, editorialist - a journalist who writes editorials Residence: Reseda Web site: none JIM SUMMERS Age: 45 Occupation: Realtor associate Residence: Granada Hills Web site: ourvalley.org MARC STRASSMAN Age: 54 Occupation: Internet consultant Residence: Valley Village Web site: sfm.lpbn.org MEL WILSON Age: 49 Occupation: General manager of real-estate firm Residence: Northridge Web site: www.melwilsonformayor.com CAPTION(S): 20 photos, box Photo: (1 -- color) Benito ``Benny'' Bernal (2 -- color) Bruce J. Boyer (3 -- color) Henry Duke Divina (4 -- color) David R. Hernandez Jr. (5 -- color) Keith S. Richman (6 -- color) Gregory Eagle Roberts (7 -- color) Leonard Shapiro (8 -- color) Marc Strassman (9 -- color) Jim Summers (10 -- color) Mel Wilson (11) Benito ``Benny'' Bernal (12) Bruce J. Boyer (13) Henry Duke Divina (14) David R. Hernandez Jr. (15) Keith S. Richman (16) Gregory Eagle Roberts (17) Leonard Shapiro (18) Marc Strassman (19) Jim Summers (20) Mel Wilson Box: Race for mayor (see text) |
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