HAHN HAILS CHANGE OF HEART MAYOR, VAN NUYS LEADER STAND TOGETHER FOR UNITED L.A.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Mayor James Hahn on Wednesday launched a divide-and-conquer strategy to head off secession as he voiced interest in a borough system of local government while questioning if there is enough time to put a specific proposal on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Standing in front of the Van Nuys Civic Center, Hahn picked up the backing of Don Schultz, president of the Van Nuys Homeowners Association and onetime board member of Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment, in opposing an independent San Fernando Valley city.

``I am happy to see more and more people coming together to defend this great city from the empty promises of secessionists,'' Hahn said. ``These are real people who day in and day out are working to make Van Nuys and our entire city better.''

While it was Schultz who contacted him, Hahn said he was looking to talk to others who might have become disenchanted with the Valley independence movement and want to work to keep Los Angeles as one city.

Schultz said his decision was based on what he saw as his unheeded requests to keep Van Nuys from being divided up among several city council districts in the proposed city.

For the last 10 years, Van Nuys has been divided among five Los Angeles City Council districts. The proposal adopted by the Local Agency Formation Commission shows Van Nuys divided among six council districts in the smaller Valley city.

``We went to the (Los Angeles) City Council and they heard us,'' Schultz said, referring to the plan adopted this week that reduces from five to three the number of Los Angeles City Council members representing Van Nuys.

``When we went to LAFCO and Valley VOTE, they ignored us and divided us among six (new) council districts,'' Schultz said.

However, Valley VOTE and others in favor of secession downplayed the impact of Schultz's switch.

``Who does Don Schultz speak for?'' asked Gerald Silver of Homeowners of Encino. ``He hasn't been active in Valley VOTE for years, and all he has done is support more noise at Van Nuys Airport.''

Silver brought out about a dozen supporters of secession to the event, carrying signs protesting Hahn's policies at Van Nuys Airport.

Schultz disputed Silver, saying he had gone from being on the Valley VOTE executive board to a general board member because of time constraints and had continued to fight noise at the airport.

Political consultant Richard Lichtenstein said Hahn was apparently trying to go to the heart of the Valley VOTE membership to win converts.

``I'm guessing he will try to get as many people as he can to switch over,'' Lichtenstein said.

Kam Kuwata, who is Hahn's political strategist on the issue, downplayed the idea of a divide-and-conquer strategy.

``We are going after everybody because we think this secession is a bad plan, a bad idea,'' Kuwata said. ``We think just about everybody is in play once they have a chance to look at it.''

As for boroughs, Hahn said he was intrigued by the proposals being advanced by Councilwoman Wendy Greuel and Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys.

``I want to have more talks with them and I think it's an idea worth exploring,'' Hahn said. ``What I don't know is if there will be enough time to hold public hearings and place a detailed borough proposal on the November ballot.''

Hertzberg and Greuel said they were encouraged by the mayor's remarks.

``Anything is possible if people are willing to keep an open mind and work on this,'' Hertzberg said. ``I think it is doable.''

Greuel said that even if a specific plan is not put before voters, it is possible to have a measure on the ballot that would require the city to develop a plan.