BOLAND RENEWS FIGHT FOR VALLEY SECESSION.

Byline: Mark Katches Daily News Sacramento Bureau

Together we're the best, Los Angeles - NOT!

Mayor Richard Riordan's motto took a drubbing Tuesday when Assemblywoman Paula Boland revived an old and divisive issue - San Fernando Valley secession.

Boland, R-Granada Hills, introduced a bill that would repeal a 1985 state law that made breaking up Los Angeles all but impossible.

Boland, who last year spearheaded legislation making it easier to break up the Los Angeles Unified School District, said no similar grass-roots support existed for secession but said she is fulfilling an old campaign promise as a way to empower her constituents.

"They would like to govern themselves," Boland said, explaining her proposed Valley secession legislation, Assembly Bill 2043. "People in the Valley are very tired of having to go to downtown Los Angeles every time they want something done."

Riordan - during a whirlwind trip to the Capitol to meet with lawmakers - winced when told about it.

"Oh boy," the mayor said. "That's one we want to kill. I'm against it. Now I want to carefully consult with someone constructive about a nonviolent response."

A few minutes later, Riordan expanded on his response: "The city of Los Angeles is one city. Its diversity is its strength, and I think anything that would divide the city would not be healthy for the city."

Efforts by San Fernando Valley groups to secede from the city flourished in the 1970s, but were all but killed by 1985 legislation that effectively gives city councils veto power over secession movements within their borders.

A one-sentence amendment to state law would allow cities with more than 2 million residents to secede without the consent of local elected officials.

City Council President John Ferraro, who accompanied the mayor on his lobbying trip to Sacramento, suggested that Boland's bill was "a good campaign gimmick."

Boland - who is leaving the Assembly because of term limits and is running for a state Senate seat that lies mostly outside the Valley - said the timing of the bill has nothing to do with her coming election.

"I had this bill three years ago," Boland said. "I was in the middle of the LAUSD breakup bill and I chose to focus on one area first and then do the second. I promised when I was elected I would present a bill of this nature. I'm keeping my promise. It has nothing to do with this being an election year."

Don Schultz, president of the Van Nuys Homeowners Association, said he believes Valley residents will organize quickly to leave the city if the bill passes.

"We pay more than our proportionate share, and I don't think we get our bang for our buck downtown," Schultz said.

The city of Los Angeles includes 3.6 million people, of which the Valley represents about 1.3 million, according to state figures.

Assembly Minority Leader Richard Katz, D-Panorama City, said he is open to the idea of a city for the Valley but remains skeptical.

"I understand the frustration people in the Valley feel with downtown," Katz said. "I don't know if this is the best solution."

The bill needs approval of the Assembly and Senate and must be signed by Gov. Pete Wilson to become law.

Even after that, there would be a long series of hurdles for any secession proposal. Ultimately, a Valley breakaway could require a vote of the people.

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(color) Paula Boland Fulfilling campaign promise