CANDIDATE DECRIES CITYHOOD TERMS.

Byline: James Nash Staff Writer

A Libertarian running for mayor of the proposed San Fernando Valley city rejected the terms of divorce from Los Angeles on Tuesday, saying he wouldn't pay ``alimony'' and that non-Valley residents shouldn't be allowed to vote on secession.

In a letter to the Valley Independence Committee, which is spearheading the cityhood campaign, Bruce Boyer - one of 10 mayoral candidates - said he would refuse to pay the $127 million alimony to Los Angeles if the Valley becomes an independent city. The Los Angeles County Local Agency Formation Commission set the terms of the secession vote, including the alimony payment.

Boyer's statements on both issues are at odds with the positions of the Valley Independence Committee and most other candidates. He said he plans to formally announce his positions at a press conference Friday.

``We are being fed a huge poison pill,'' Boyer said about the alimony payment and a state law requiring that, to pass, secession must get a majority of the votes cast citywide as well as in the Valley. ``I am not staying with the program.''

He indicated he would look at taking legal action if elected mayor.

Other candidates and Valley Independence Committee co-chairman Richard Katz called Boyer's statements reckless.

``It's a lot of political rhetoric that has no meaning,'' said mayoral candidate Keith Richman. ``It makes me wonder if Mr. Boyer is qualified to run for office.''

Richman and Katz said LAFCO arrived at its terms for a municipal breakup after a lengthy study and in keeping with state law that the breakup not fiscally harm the remainder of Los Angeles. If the Valley rejects some of LAFCO's terms, Los Angeles could argue for rejecting others, Richman said.

Boyer disputed LAFCO's authority to set the terms of the election since LAFCO members are not elected to the commission. LAFCO commissioners are elected to other offices - such as seats on the county Board of Supervisors or Los Angeles City Council - but are appointed to LAFCO.

Boyer cited the U.S. Constitution as his authority. ``If we did not vote for these people, we are not bound to follow their direction,'' he said. ``We are a representative democracy.''