RIORDAN TO VALLEY: `I LOVE YOU'.

Byline: Beth Barrett Daily News Staff Writer

Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan took his case for city unity Friday to the heart of its discontent.

In a broadly thematic and emotional ``State of the Valley'' speech to the Valley Industry and Commerce Association's 10th Business Forecast Conference, the mayor stressed his devotion to the region, even as he continued to place it in a citywide context.

``I have had a love affair with the Valley for years,'' he told about 600 business and community leaders during lunch at the Warner Center Marriott.

``Los Angeles needs the Valley.''

He claimed citywide policies, including more police officers and some city-sponsored educational programs, have contributed significantly to the region's economic flourishing.

``The state of the Valley is vibrant, better than ever.''

Riordan didn't please everyone. Some were disappointed he didn't talk more about the toughest and most divisive issues facing the city - its troubled schools, flawed mass transportation system and disenfranchised neighborhoods. They said his mention of problems was cursory and he offered no solutions.

``He didn't come prepared to give a speech, he came prepared to say hello,'' said Joyce Prager, community affairs manager with 20th Century Insurance, and a liaison between the city's two charter reform commissions and VICA. ``What I wanted to know was where do we go from here?''

Bob Scott, VICA's vice chairman who has suggested secession as perhaps the best reform remedy, said Riordan's role as civic marriage counselor fails to address the ``irreconcilable differences'' that exist between two regions with strikingly different priorities.

``I think in his heart, Riordan is a reformer and that he'd like to be more supportive of more dramatic reforms,'' said Scott, who Riordan gave a gag T-shirt emblazoned with ``A New Charter for a New Century.''

``But he doesn't want to take personal responsibility for deconstructing Los Angeles, or what some see as reorganizing it.

``I think he's sincere. He's just on the wrong side of the hill to join the revolution.''

VICA supports the petition drive for a study of Valley secession, but has not taken a position on secession itself, said its chairman, Stephen Lew.

The Daily News has contributed $60,000 to the petition drive.

The ``global terms'' Riordan spoke in were broader than in three previous speeches to the organization, perhaps reflecting sensitivity to the secessionist mood that has grown in pockets throughout the city, he said.

After the luncheon, Riordan drove to the top of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and gazed over the Valley on a sunny, clear afternoon.

``Look how beautiful it is. It's magnificent,'' he said.

Riordan said that he purposely chose to leave out most details on Valley issues in favor of three central messages for its residents and leaders:

``That I love the Valley, that the Valley is better off today and that the mayor is against secession.''

The appeal was more emotional and personal than in his earlier mayoral days when Riordan sometimes joked about the Valley as though it were a foreign entity.

``He's changed dramatically,'' said Bob Pearlman, chairman of the conference and a partner with Grant Thornton LLP of Woodland Hills.

Looking at the vast expanse of the Valley and the possibility it would someday be the nation's sixth-largest city, the mayor said the Valley and the rest of the city compliment each other as the yin and yang of Los Angeles.

``We desperately need the Valley to stay a part of the city,'' he said.

``And the Valley has flourished under city leadership. In my heart and mind, I believe a whole city is better.''

The Valley's middle class interlocks with the rest of the city's economy. The Valley benefits from economic development in the region, and it provides area-wide resources - both in taxes and volunteerism.

Riordan acknowledged the importance to Valley political support to him and how Valley residents are important to the city, serving on many city commissions and as his advisers.

``When I've asked for help, they've always been there,'' he said.

As he took a last look at the Valley, Riordan was asked what would he say if all those residents were listening.

``People of the Valley, I love you,'' the mayor said. ``L.A. loves you. You've been great. We need you!''

Back at the luncheon, Pearlman explained the change that he had seen in Riordan over the years.

``He says the Valley is part of the city, that it's very important to the city's vitality. The tone has changed,'' Pearlman said.

``If he'd act the way he talks about the Valley, things would be much better,'' Pearlman said.

STATE OF THE VALLEY

The major points in Mayor Richard Riordan's ``State of the Valley'' address to the Valley Industry and Commerce Association's 10th Business Forecast Conference:

- Business and industry are rediscovering the Valley largely because more police have made the region safer.

- Public education remains a ``disaster,'' which demands a revolution where teachers and principals should be fired if they're doing a bad job.

Riordan said his primary centers for young children and L.A.'s BEST after-school program - with sites at Canoga Park and Hart Street elementary schools - are a step in the right direction.

- The mayor promised to fight for more Valley transportation funds.

- Riordan favors charter reform and opposes secession of the San Fernando Valley.

- Any new charter should separate executive and legislative duties. General managers should be accountable to the mayor.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO Mayor Richard Riordan stands Friday at the top of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, with the Valley's Warner Center skyscrapers as a backdrop.

Myung J. Chun/Daily News

BOX: STATE OF THE VALLEY (see text)