DUMP FUELS DRIVE FOR SECESSION : LANDFILL VOTE STEAMS GRANADA HILLS GROUP.Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer A Granada Hills group said Wednesday it would push for the 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. to secede from Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , citing the City Council's failure to block the expansion of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill near Granada Hills. ``Los Angeles, we want a divorce,'' said Nora Schumacher, treasurer of the North Valley Coalition that brought about 40 supporters to City Hall. ``As soon as we can, we are going to meet with other groups in the Valley and see what we can do to secede. We don't want to stay in a city that doesn't care about us,'' she said. Late last year, the City Council agreed to open a city access road that will enable expansion of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill in unincorporated county territory. The city portion of the dump closed in 1991. The group's rally on the steps of City Hall came on the same day the City Council voted 10-3 to approve a five-year contract with Browning-Ferris Industries Browning-Ferris Industries, or "BFI", is a licensed trademark of Allied Waste Industries, a North America waste collection company. Many local units of Allied Waste are still known as BFI in the markets they serve. to take some of the city-generated trash after the July 1 closing of the Lopez Canyon Landfill in Lake View Terrace. The council also voted 13-0 for a similar contract with Waste Management Recycling and Disposal Services to dump trash at the Bradley West landfill in Sylmar. The combined contracts are for $15.5 million. But it was the BFI BFI - brute force and ignorance contract that angered residents and drew opposition from Councilmen Hal Bernson Hal Bernson served as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 12th district. He was chair of the Transportation Committee. Prior to being on the City Council, he served in the Navy. Preceded by Robert M. , Richard Alarcon and Nate Holden Nathaniel "Nate" R. Holden (1929-) served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1987 to 2002. He previously served a term on the California State Senate and was Assistant Chief Deputy to then Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn. . Voting for the contract were council members Richard Alatorre Richard Alatorre is a politician, and a member of the Democratic Party. Alatorre has served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council. He was the first Latino to serve on the council in 23 years. , Marvin Braude Marvin Braude (August 11, 1920—December 7, 2005)served as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 11th district from 1965 to 1997. At various times Mr. Braude (pronounced BROW-dee) served as chair of the Finance and Revenue Committee, the Environmental Quality and Waste , Laura Chick, John Ferraro John Ferraro (May 14 1924—April 17 2001) served as a Los Angeles City Councilman from 1966 until his death. Early life Ferraro was born in the working class suburb of Cudahy, California, just south of Los Angeles. , Mike Feuer, Ruth Galanter Ruth Galanter was a city councilwoman from Los Angeles. She served as President Pro-Tempore and President of the city council. , Mike Hernandez, Rudy Svorinich, Rita Walters and Joel Wachs. ``These people have suffered long enough,'' Bernson said. ``Until we closed Sunshine Canyon in 1991, they suffered for 30 years with 7,000 tons of trash a day coming into their neighborhood. ``They feel they've been abused. This is the type of stuff people talk about when they think the Valley's been treated inequitably.'' BFI officials did not return calls seeking comment. Schumacher said the key to Valley secession will be passage of a measure by Assemblywoman Paula Boland, R-Granada Hills, that would prevent the City Council from vetoing any secession effort. That measure is scheduled to be considered Monday by the full Assembly, Boland spokesman Scott Wilk said. ``We are 40 percent of the city and we are ignored,'' Schumacher said. ``We are just waiting for a chance to organize a secession movement. There are a lot of groups out there who would jump at the chance to do this.'' Wayde Hunter, president of the coalition, said Valley residents believe they are being singled out for the location of landfills. ``If you tried to put a dump in East L.A. or Central L.A., it wouldn't happen,'' Hunter said. ``You think we're all white, we're all rich. Well, I've got news for you. We aren't all white and we aren't all rich and we can't get out of here.'' Gail Chavez, of Granada Hills said she felt the Valley's concerns were being ignored. ``The San Fernando Valley is tired of being tossed the crumbs, the leftovers and the garbage after Los Angeles enjoys the best part of the meal,'' Chavez said. CAPTION(S): 3 Photos PHOTO (1) The North Valley Coalition met Wednesday at Ci ty Hall to oppose the Sunshine Canyon dump. (2) The group's feeling was clear. (3) Wayde Hunter, coalition president, said Valley residents believe they are being singled out for landfills. Phil McCarten/Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion