Valley Secession

I am a reform-minded Valley voter, and I want the best for the entire city, not just the San Fernando Valley. Therefore, I am against secession. I think that all of us who feel this way should organize.

For some time, Valley VOTE (Voters Organized Toward Empowerment) has been pushing secession. But if I am correct, a couple with marital problems usually gets together and tries to work out differences before divorcing. I do not think that has happened in this case. I do not remember hearing that VOTE has brought a list of complaints to the city for discussion and resolution. . . . This suggests to me that divorce is the only option they will consider, rather than working within the current system for change. They are pushing this movement and playing on the negative feelings that people have about the city to further their own causes.

I do wonder if [Jeff] Brain or [Richard] Close would likely figure prominently in the new San Fernando Valley city government, should it become a reality. Would they work to resolve problems in this new government (and all governments do have problems), or would they propose future divorces as solutions?

Thus, until Valley VOTE shows me what the massive problems are, how they have worked unsuccessfully to resolve the problems within the existing government structure and why secession is the only answer, I cannot trust them and their vision with a new government.

We will soon have a new city charter, to include neighborhood councils and more opportunities for citizens to get involved than at any other time. Los Angeles has been good to all of us for many years, so I will vote to give her another chance before I vote to break her apart.

DALE CAMPBELL, Granada Hills

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I suppose that if Valley succession succeeds, all the sewer hole covers will have to be changed from reading “City of Los Angeles” to “City of San Fernando Valley.”

CRAIG LENNON KYSAR, Sherman Oaks