VALLEY FORUM: How Many Is Enough? The Valley Group, a non-partisan organization formed by Assemblyman Keith Richman, Valley business leaders and others who were involved in the San Fernando Valley secession movement, held its first public meeting earlier this month. The group’s leaders promise to advocate for many of the same things the secession movement centered on: improved services and a more responsive government. So, the San Fernando Valley Business Journal asks: Do you think the Valley needs another advocacy group, even though neighborhood councils are establishing their own strategies for improving services and getting more local control over city government? Dan Blake Economics Professor and Director San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center Cal State University, Northridge The neighborhood councils are going to have a very local focus, I believe, while the Valley Group will have a Valley-wide focus, and they will ask the types of questions that may or may not be of interest to all or any of the councils. So to the extent that they can bring more focus on Valley issues that impact everyone, the effect will be beneficial. Jill Banks-Barad President, Jill Barad & Associates Chairwoman, Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council What’s really striking is how few new people are involved in the Valley Group. The vast majority of the people on the group’s board of directors are long-time leaders of the Valley, so if it’s the same old leadership what can they do differently? I got a copy of their mission statement. Where is there anything on it that is different from the other advocacy groups in the Valley? They all say they are doing the same thing, but I’m concerned that if they focus their efforts on the Valley Group, what happens to their own groups? So, is there a need? I say no. Richard Close Chairman Valley VOTE The neighborhood councils are focused in small geographic areas. Groups like the Valley Group, Valley VOTE, the United Chambers of Commerce and the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, are important to have because they are concerned with issues on a Valley-wide scale and are strong advocacy group’s for Valley-wide concerns. I believe the more organized groups we have, the better it is for businesses and Valley residents. Joe Hooven Immediate Past President Universal City/NOHO Chamber of Commerce I don’t think it’s a good idea. I think it’s time to close down all of these chambers in the Valley and have one Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce. Then, we would have one united group for business and let the neighborhood councils speak for the residents. It’s time to get united. This secession thing is over. It was voted down and it’s time to move on.
