CITIES PRAISED.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

Making a rare public commentary on Antelope Valley politics, leaders of four major aerospace companies signed a letter saluting the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale for adopting anti-piracy policies.

The senior site managers of Boeing Reusable Space Systems, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Northrop Grumman and British Aerospace congratulated the two cities for pledging to end bidding wars for retail and industrial businesses. The four companies have formed an alliance in the Antelope Valley to try to find ways to bring work to the region.

``You have raised the expectations of cooperative endeavor for the entire Antelope Valley community as well as the likelihood for local economic development success,'' said the letter, dated Wednesday. ``Not competing with each other for businesses which are already located in the community can combine the power of both cities' precious resources and revenues to make Antelope Valley businesses more competitive and improve their employee's quality of life in the process.''

The letter was signed by Mark Johnstone, site director for Boeing Reusable Space Systems; Robert T. Elrod, president of the Skunk Works; Thomas Williams, Northrop Grumman vice president and B-2 program manager; and Don Sullivan, vice president and general manager of British Aerospace's Palmdale operations.

The company leaders took the action so that their vote would be on record as potential challenges to the policies come forward, said John Bass, a spokesman for the aerospace alliance. The four companies have about 10,000 employees in the Antelope Valley and have a weekly payroll of $10 million.

``They (aerospace workers) have a right to get a good return on their investment,'' Bass said. ``Having the cities beat up on each other is not a good return on anybody's investment.''

Both city councils adopted policies this month stating they would not offer incentives to try to lure businesses away from each other. Officials from both cities said that enacting the policies is just the first step: the real tests will come as businesses try to get one of the cities to violate those policies.

``Most people see the value of this,'' said Palmdale Councilwoman Shelley Sorsabal, who initiated the discussions leading to the anti-piracy agreements. ``This (the letter) says Palmdale, Lancaster you are doing the right thing.''

Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts said the anti-piracy agreements will help improve the Antelope Valley's image to San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Basin business people who see the two cities as feuding family members.

``I hear from businesses, We would like to come here, but why can't you get along?'' Roberts said. ``This is a step towards changing the image people have.''

The two cities have cooperated on a number of issues, but have battled openly over sales tax-revenue generating businesses, such as auto dealers and ``big box'' retail stores like Costco.

The use of incentives to lure businesses came to the forefront when Palmdale proposed land deals to bring in three Lancaster vehicle dealers. Lancaster officials vowed to pirate Palmdale businesses if the deals went through.

The Palmdale City Council adopted its anti-piracy policy on Dec. 8 and postponed two of the proposed deals. The third deal fell through when the dealer opted out.

The Lancaster City Council passed its anti-piracy policy on Tuesday.

Lancaster officials said they will meet with the recreational vehicle dealers to see if they can meet their needs.