The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 111

JUiv if "-r i' 'i -i i rn rTr "IT" i T''ry' B6 THURSDAY. JULY 2, 1998 LOS ANGELES TIMES RIORDAN: Mayor Seeks Peace in the Valley If WW. i 2i w-ni ft 1 ii 7A- I I iX i Mayor Riordan, left, answers question during meeting with Valley VOTE leaders. Right, Jeff Brain, group president. R1CAHDO DeARATAN HA Continued from Bl The mayor told members he sympathized with their frustrations over the often inefficient, glacial pace of city government During the meeting, Riordan at times agreed a study may provide valuable insight on the future of Los Angeles.

He said he opposes secession, but believes Valley residents "have the right to vote" on the issue. But Riordan cautioned that a separate Valley city would fall far short of the "Utopia" boosters envision. The cost of duplicating an entire city infrastructure, from a fire department to establishing recycling centers, would almost surely increase taxes, the mayor said. Also, he said, the Valley would lose clout in Washington and Sacramento when crucial, politically sensitive federal and state funding decisions are made. All the while, the Valley would face an onslaught of fierce, new neighborhood battles over where to place garbage dumps and other unpopular government essentials, Riordan said.

"It is a good thought and I can say if L.A. had not been put together 100 years ago, that it would be better to have a bunch of small cities," Riordan told the group. "There's no question that smaller cities work better, but once you're part of a big city, breaking it up does not work." Instead, the mayor urged Valley VOTE to support his effort to revamp the city's 72-year-old charter, reforms he said could potentially strengthen the Valley's political power on the City Council and provide guarantees the Valley will receive its fair share of city services. But Richard Close, chairman of Valley VOTE, said there never would have been calls for charter reform if the secession movement in the Valley had not rattled political leaders downtown. "Unless this goes through, there will be no charter reform," said IF A.7 Ms sa i Daniel Supple became stranded while painting on freeway overpass.

ilAGGER: Sentence Includes Letter jito High School Students in Valley was crafted last year by state Assemblymen Tom McClintock (R-Northridge) and Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) in compromise legislation agreeable to both Valley VOTE and the City Council. On Wednesday, Brain again declined to reveal the number of signatures Valley VOTE has collected thus far, but said the group plans to disclose the figure at a news conference next week. The movement to break the Valley, home to 1.2 million people, from the rest of Los Angeles has been gathering force for several years. Leaders include longtime activists in Valley homeowner and business groups, the same civic-minded people the mayor has ap- y- FREE! In Home Trial Take a few, or let us bring some to your home. Our Decorator will help you.

No No Obligation To Free Delivery! Trade-in Your Old Rug Expert Cleaning Repair Weavers 1 VJVL I Ad, Close, an attorney and president of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn. Throughout the meeting, Close and many other Valley VOTE leaders assured Riordan their campaign is not a rebuke of his leadership, saying the mayor has been good to the Valley and has their strong political support. They fear, however, that future mayors may not be as conscientious, they said. In response, Riordan told the group it should seek a mayoral candidate who represents the Valley's interests. IL Valley VOTE by Aug.

27 135,000 signatures- representing 25 of Valley voters the Local Agency Formation Commission would be required to study whether an independent city in the Valley would be able sustain itself without causing financial harm to the rest of the city. If the study shows a Valley city is feasible, voters city wide may be asked to decide on Valley secession as soon as 2000. But the Valley can only break away if it has the support of a majority of voters in the Valley, and of the entire city. The arduous secession process GAHAGB DOOR 67 Wimlows 4 Opener Eidra Old ftxx faU away with coupon wftrei NRW Murathon GARAGE DOOR 16x7 Wtnciovrt Opener Extra, CHd Dew rwukki cwqy, with coupon expires JuVH. CARAGK DOOR SIHVIC1 $495 tnefydev Luoricant and All Minor Kepairt ol Uoor Upener FwhE.tm'Wifc Coupon i-cm 73093 GARAGI DOOR '235 OPIHIR Now Only mmott BORIS YARO Los Angeles Times given what he went through," English said.

"At the beginning it looked like he might not survive." Supple who even Wednesday had two doctors' appointments-must write a letter that will be reviewed by the judge and prosecutors at a July 29 hearing in Los Angeles Metropolitan Branch Municipal Court. English would not allow interviews with his client Wednesday, but said Supple's letter will "talk about what happened to him, how he was injured and how he feels about it." English declined to reveal specifics about his client's reflections over the last year, but said Supple understands that society considers graffiti a serious offense of vandalism. The letter, along with photographs of his injuries and scars, will be sent to the principal of every San Fernando Valley high school. The photographs show surgical scars running the full length of his arms, legs and spine, Schwartz said. "You can see the metal hooked up to this kid's bones, barely holding him together," Schwartz said.

"I think he's fully aware of the horrible risk he took." 'k VvSi ft Ann IiM Angeles Time pointed to many city commissions. Three months ago a survey funded by Valley business leaders found that 58 of 1,205 likely Valley voters favored formation of an independent city. Doing so would increase local control, keep local tax dollars in the Valley and create a more efficient government, they said. The study was financed by Studio City attorney David Fleming and auto dealership owners Herbert Boeckmann, both prominent appointees of the mayor. Fleming is a member of the city Fire Commission and Boeckmann is a longtime member of the Police Commission.

ff7 At Weavers' Prices Are Slashed On Every Rug! All Sizes Atv Available 2x3 up to 12x18 Runners Rounds Ovals JLN EXTRA Think again. I I I 1 TOUR CHOICE Continued from Bl ism probably would have received a similar sentence had he gone to trial. But the settlement particularly the letter-writing requirement-will work in the interest of prevention, English said. "My guess is the city attorney said: "We want to stop people from doing English said, agreeing with the concept. "People during late hours of the night, hanging off high things, it's very dangerous." The case stems from events in the early morning events of June 11, 1997.

According to California Highway Patrol investigators, Supple climbed over a bridge railing and onto a concrete pylon that supports the overpass, thought to be the highest in Los Angeles County. He became stranded while spray -painting his tagger name on the side of the bridge and plunged 100 feet to a freeway embankment. Supple broke bones ranging from his ankles to his spine underwent several surgeries. Since then Supple has been in and out of doctors' offices and, until recently, needed a wheelchair to get around, his attorney said. "He's doing reasonably well, REAL THE EASY QUALIFIER NO processing or verification ol employment NO processing or verification of deposits mortgage EntkelnventoryA International 20855 Ventura 2, Woodland Hills (NE Corner of Ventura and De Soto) (818) 715-9999 Mon-Sat Sun 12-5 fjnw: ESTATE LOANS mm corrI NO income documentation required (818)986-1000 30 YEARS AMORTIZED 5 YEARS PAYMENT FIXED CONFIRMING FIRST TRUST DEED APR 6 45 Licensed by CA Dept ol RE AL ESTATE Rates subt to change.

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