BUSINESSMAN HONORED AS COMMUNITY LEADER.

Byline: Lisa Van Proyen Daily News Staff Writer

Philip A. ``Flip'' Smith could have been like the other business owners, the ones who fled his once deteriorating, gang-infested community in Van Nuys.

Instead, the 51-year-old owner of Flip's Tire Center chose to stand his ground along Sepulveda Boulevard and tackle the rampant crime plaguing his area five years ago.

``You stay and fight. Running away isn't going to help anything. Fix where you're at, and it'll be fine,'' Smith said.

His fighting spirit was recognized Friday night when Smith, the 39th annual Fernando Award recipient, was honored at a dinner at the Sheraton Universal in Universal City.

``He gives such overwhelming, broad-based support within local organizations - not just giving money, but giving of time, his heart and all of his efforts - and that's why he rose above all of the (finalists),'' said Irwin Rosenberg, president of the Fernando Awards.

Finalists included Kenneth C. Banks Jr., Horace H. Heidt, Walter W. Mosher Jr. and Terry York.

``Flip is everywhere, and he's very generous,'' Rosenberg told 200 guests at the dinner, including Los Angeles City Attorney James Hahn; Assemblymen Tony Cardenas, D-Panorama City, and Tom McClintock, R-Granada Hills; and state Sen. Cathie Wright, R-Simi Valley.

About five years ago, when Smith realized his corridor was deteriorating, he created the Sepulveda Business Watch. It was the first Business Watch group of its kind in Los Angeles, he said in an interview before Friday's ceremony.

With Smith's encouragement, business owners installed more street lighting, planted trees, increased security and got tougher rules on prostitutes.

Motel and hotel owners, through the help of City Hall, had curbs painted red in front of their businesses to deter prostitution, Smith said.

Rather than relying on the city's once-a-week service, business owners themselves started cleaning the sidewalks and streets in their area twice a week.

Smith later helped create four other business groups in Panorama City and Van Nuys and along Ventura and Van Nuys boulevards.

``I say roll up your sleeves and do it yourselves,'' said Smith, dressed in a tuxedo with a Hawaiian-pattern cummerbund and bow tie at the dinner. ``When you become a part of it, you're helping out the community at the same time.''

The Woodland Hills resident is also president of the Mid-Valley Chamber of Commerce. He has initiated programs for youths, the disadvantaged and senior citizens throughout the San Fernando Valley.

During his term as president of the Mid-Valley Community Police Council, Smith helped raise more than $100,000 annually for law enforcement. He has also volunteered for the American Heart Association, the San Fernando Valley Public Safety Advisory Commission, the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley and the Valley Economic Development Center.

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PHOTO Fernando Award winner Philip A. ``Flip'' Smith and his wife, Vicky, center, chat with guests at a dinner in his honor Friday.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News