VIEWS ON VALLEY SECESSION: WHO WOULD GAIN IF WE QUIT L.A.?

Byline: John M. Curtis

LOS Angeles voters will decide in November whether to jettison 230 square miles and 1.35 million residents - attached to Los Angeles by the Santa Monica Mountains.

Though missing ocean breezes, the Valley boasts copious sun and endless shopping, especially down its main corridor of Ventura Boulevard. Since the end of World War II, L.A. nurtured the Valley as a suburban alternative for hard-working citizens trying to improve their standard of living.

Despite its geography, the San Fernando Valley was always an essential part of Los Angeles.

When Larry J. Calemine, executive officer of LAFCO, announced in a detailed report that the Valley could survive on its own - even after paying initial estimates of $55.8 million and now an estimated $128 million in yearly ``alimony'' to the city of Los Angeles - the wheels were set in motion for an eventual showdown.

``Imagine living in a city that is safer, cleaner and better. Imagine a city with good parks, responsive police and stronger communities. Imagine a city where businesses are thriving and good jobs are growing,'' wrote former state Assemblyman Richard Katz and Valley VOTE President Jeff Brain, preaching to the choir in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal - promising utopia but failing to tell the whole story.

Before the Valley jumps the gun, it should picture its identity missing a bustling downtown, glorious beaches, uplifting museums and championship sports franchises. Valley voters should rethink their shrunken image without a fragrant flower mart, fashionable garment district, glittery jewelry center, busy train station, world-famous airport and other key L.A. attractions.

Valley residents should think twice before swallowing tempting promises made by clever businessmen and wannabe politicians.

Few people question the feasibility of a Valley city, but many question the wisdom of splitting up the nation's second-largest city.

Valley VOTE complains that tax dollars go to ``downtown'' and not Valley neighborhoods. No part of Los Angeles - including the Valley - gets what it pays for in taxes.

To secessionists, council residency guarantees a ``city that works'' - painting the illusion that a new mayor and City Council would somehow wave magic wands.

Sending money to downtown Los Angeles has little to do with how taxes filter into individual communities. Voters in a new Valley city will have no more control over how taxes trickle down to specific neighborhoods. Sending money to Van Nuys offers no guarantee of how it winds up fixing potholes in Tarzana. Only honest elected officials and experienced government can deliver the goods.

Everyone wants a city that is safer, cleaner and better, or one that has better public parks, friendlier police and a flourishing business community.

But splitting off from L.A. doesn't automatically redeem promises made by zealous secessionists.

In truth, secessionists aren't certain about unexpected costs, delivering better services or, for that matter, that a new city would be better managed.

There's also no real evidence that the Valley hasn't received its fair share of vital city services. Police, fire, emergency services, libraries, parks and recreation, street maintenance, tree trimming, water and power, etc., benefit all residents equally on both sides of the hills.

Valley VOTE - and those special interest groups favoring secession - have engaged in a relentless six-year-long disinformation campaign designed to discredit L.A. and convince voters that a new city would solve all the Valley's problems.

In reality, unproven elected officials, newly formed city departments and untested city services, won't fulfill the promises of those pretending new is better.

When true believers speak of ``a city of our own,'' they're not referring to expanding control to local neighborhoods and communities. They're talking about collecting $1 billion in taxes and deciding how to spend it. Insiders, friends and special interest groups would no doubt benefit under the new city's management.

Before tearing apart one of America's great cities, voters must know that all big cities face serious challenges - including improving education, creating new housing and containing crime. Changing City Hall won't overhaul the Los Angeles Unified School District, build more affordable housing or improve law enforcement.

Splitting up Los Angeles won't accomplish the economy of scale promised by Valley VOTE. Smaller isn't necessarily better.

Robbing the Valley of its rightful place in Los Angeles hurts all residents. Voters need to blow away the smoke and figure out who really stands to gain.