|
A MESSAGE
FROM THE ALLIANCE
As the public debate
accelerates over the issue of cityhood for the San Fernando Valley, there
appears to be a growing confusion over just what and where the
“Valley” really is.
The geographic San Fernando Valley
region is defined by natural topography, and its description has been
generally accepted by the partners and investors of the Economic Alliance. It is an area comprising the cities of Burbank, Calabasas,
Glendale, Hidden Hills, San Fernando and that portion of Los Angeles
located north of Mulholland Drive. There
are also some unincorporated portions of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties
included within the geographic area of the San Fernando Valley.
Much of the media coverage of the cityhood issue refers to the “San
Fernando Valley breaking away from the City of Los Angeles”.
That is a confusing statement and is, in part, inaccurate.
The question of separate cityhood for the Los Angeles portion of
the Valley obviously does not encompass the rest of the Valley.
The cities of Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Hidden Hills and San
Fernando would not be directly affected. They would remain the independent
Valley municipalities they are today.
The Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley is a regional economic
development and marketing collaborative made up of community leaders,
businesses, government, and educational institutions.
Our organization’s mission is to grow and strengthen the economy
of the entire San Fernando Valley by attracting and retaining
businesses and high quality jobs, improving public education and workforce
preparedness, and marketing the Valley as a region.
The result of these efforts has been the ever-improving quality of
life and the prosperity we now enjoy throughout the Valley.
As an organization, the Alliance takes positions only on issues
affecting economic development. It
has not taken a position on the cityhood issue and will not, unless our
members determine that cityhood would substantially enhance economic
development within that area. Our
mission will remain focused on economic development regardless of whoever
governs that portion of the City of Los Angeles located in the San
Fernando Valley. If the
voters of that area choose to become an independent city, we will actively
help its economic development in whatever ways we can.
If they choose to remain part of Los Angeles, we will continue to
provide the economic development support we have in the past.
The 1.8 million residents of the San Fernando Valley (5% of California's
population) comprise an enormous regional powerhouse, with more than
70,000 businesses and more than 850,000 jobs. With its vibrant, dynamic and diverse communities, the
Economic Alliance is pledged to keeping the San Fernando Valley a
world-class economic region.
|
|
