ALARCON EXPECTED TO RULE OUT RUN FOR MAYOR OF VALLEY CITY.Byline: Rick Orlov and Harrison Sheppard Staff Writers State Sen. Richard Alarcon will end months of speculation about his political future by announcing he will not run for mayor of a proposed 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, sources familiar with his thinking said Wednesday. Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, refused on Wednesday to confirm he has decided against seeking the job in the Nov. 5 election, but the sources said he will announce he's not running during a news conference this morning. ``This is something I have thought long and hard about and studied to determine what is in the best interest of the San Fernando Valley,'' Alarcon said in an interview Wednesday. ``There has been an incredible amount of heartfelt heart·felt adj. Deeply or sincerely felt; earnest. heartfelt Adjective sincerely and strongly felt: heartfelt thanks Adj. 1. consideration that I have dedicated over the last several months to this issue. ``I've had an analysis of the proposal done as well as looked at the process. I have come to what I believe is not a difficult decision because I'm doing the right thing.'' Voters will be asked in November to decide whether the Valley should become its own city as well as elect a mayor and a 14-member city council. For secession to pass, it must be approved by a majority of voters in the Valley and a majority citywide including the Valley. Alarcon was first elected to the Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. in 1993,
serving until 1998 when he was elected to the state Senate. His term
there runs until 2006.
He has been heavily lobbied by longtime long·time adj. Having existed or persisted for a long time: a longtime friend; a longtime resident of Detroit. longtime Adjective allies, particularly in organized labor Organized Labor An association of workers united as a single, representative entity for the purpose of improving the workers' economic status and working conditions through collective bargaining with employers. Also known as "unions". , against running for mayor of the new city and also to come out against secession. Two weeks ago, Alarcon said he was receiving a lot of pressure to not enter the race because of the appeal he would have among Latino voters. Alarcon's announcement leaves only Assemblyman as·sem·bly·man n. A man who is a member of a legislative assembly. assemblyman Noun pl -men a member of a legislative assembly Noun 1. Keith Richman Dr. Keith S. Richman is a California, United States, Republican politician. From 2001 to 2007, he served in the California State Assembly representing the 38th Assembly District based in Northwest Los Angeles County. , R-Granada Hills, in the Valley city mayoral race, although candidates have until early August to file papers. Although it boosts his own chances, Richman said he was disappointed by Alarcon's decision not to run. He said his belief is that Alarcon wanted to run but the pressure from downtown interests and unions was too great. ``From a personal perspective, it may make the race a little bit less competitive,'' Richman said. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. who otherwise is contemplating running for mayor, but I am disappointed that Senator Alarcon is not going to enter the race, as I'm sure he wanted to, but didn't because of the pressure that was applied to him.'' |
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