Valley Secession

Re “Wilson Signs Bill That Could Ease Valley Secession,” Oct. 13: I find it hard to believe that anyone could find any delight in the fact that Gov. Pete Wilson has signed a bill that may allow the Valley to secede from Los Angeles.

As an English national who has lived in Los Angeles for nine years, I have often despaired at the ease with which residents of U.S. cities flee the downtown areas for the suburbs. There are signs that politicians and mayors in the cities across the nation, who have seen their downtown areas decimated by the loss of residents and subsequent loss of tax income, are realizing that development and incentives to attract people back into cities is the answer.

Yes, Los Angeles has its problems like any other large U.S. city and Valley residents may believe that secession is the answer. A better answer would be to challenge the politicians and business people who may have an interest in creating a new Valley city and ask that they address the problems that Valley voters may have with being part of Los Angeles. If there is a way that we can avoid the breakup of one of the largest, most vibrant and forward-looking cities on the Pacific Rim, there would be a genuine reason to celebrate.

DAVE ALLEN

Los Angeles

What a brilliant stroke! By approving the Valley secession bill, Wilson has assured an employment boom here in California. As each neighborhood or community secedes from a larger city and becomes a city itself, it will need its own mayor, city council, administrative offices, police and fire departments, refuse collection service, etc., etc. Just think of all the new jobs for politicians, bureaucrats, civil servants. Best of all, the new cities’ employees will all be honest and hard-working, and will not require any new, local taxes to pay for their work.

SAM COUNCILMAN

Long Beach