Summary of Los Angeles County reform efforts that perhaps will make unnecessary the efforts of the San Fernando Valley, the San Gabriel Valley and other areas to secede from Los Angeles County.
Secession took a new turn with the news that the San Fernando Valley is also considering splitting off from Los Angeles County. Background of the reasons and feelings behind these moves in both the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys is outlined.
At a meeting on November 20, County Assessor Philip Watson's representative and County Supervisors Peter Schabarum and Baxter Ward and others tackled the possibility of the San Gabriel Valley seceding from Los Angeles County.
Harry Hufford, the chief administrative officer for Los Angeles County, predicted that taxes would double for residents of Newhall-Saugus-Santa Clarita Valley area if they were to break away from Los Angeles County. The same would hold true for the San Gabriel Valley.
Plans have been made to form an Association of San Gabriel Valley Cities. The banding together is a preliminary step to give strength to a move to secede from Los Angeles County.
A move is once again underway to explore the feasibility of the San Gabriel area seceding from Los Angeles County. Spearheading the movement, as he did 4 years ago, is Temple City mayor Lou Gilbertson.
Reaction was mixed among San Gabriel Valley officials on a bill before the State Legislature that would prohibit small splinter movements. This would make difficult any effort by local secessionists to get enough support to break away from Los Angeles County.
SB 1774 passed the California Senate 21-14, and if it passes the Assembly, it could cripple any secession moves by the San Gabriel Valley. Senator Richardson says that SB 1774 is the work of Senator N. Holdea, who was a deputy of Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, and the bill reflects the county's position that it would be bad to break up the county.
"San Gabriel County will come into being within the life-time of many of you here", Attorney James Helms told a group meeting. He feels that the State Legislature holds the key to future secession efforts.
A meeting has been set for October 1 for a committee to report to the entire Association on the feasibility of seceding from Los Angeles County. What happens here may well determine the future course of events in the San Gabriel Valley.
The County Board of Supervisors urged the State Legislature and Governor Reagan to defeat a bill which would make it easier for citizens to form a new county.
Lou Gilbertson of Temple City has proposed a Special Commission for Los Angeles County Reform in an endeavor to see if there is duplication of services and waste in county government that could be eliminated and secession could be avoided.
A mixed reaction has greeted a bill that recently passed the Senate and is being debated in the Assembly. It attempts to prohibit splinter movements toward secession from an existing county.
The Association will prepare a profile of the San Gabriel Valley within the coming month. A second project will be to organize themselves to deal with the "incoherence of Los Angeles County government."
Senate Bill 1287, introduced by State Senator H. L. Richardson, is designed to ease the method of bringing the formation of a new county to a vote. The article explains the present laws for such a vote and delineates how Senate Bill 1287 would streamline this procedure.
Jim Helms chosen President of the Association of San Gabriel Valley Cities. Cities which have confirmed membership are: Alhambra, Arcadia, Covina, El Monte, Irwindale, La Puente, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Marino, South Pasadena, Temple City, and Walnut.
The San Gabriel Valley Juvenile Diversion Program has been established to divert local youths from the criminal justice system to local counseling agencies. Arcadia is participating in this program along with Temple City, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead and San Gabriel.