The overwhelming vote to change the Los Angeles City Charter has whetted public hunger for greater government reform and may even boost the push to explore San Fernando Valley cityhood, activists and political observers say. While many believe charter reform will help quench secessionist sentiments, activists contend it has stoked the cityhood movement in the Valley and the San Pedro-Wilmington area. Whether the Valley cuts loose from Los Angeles and becomes the nation's sixth largest city is far from certain, because a public vote probably is at least three years away. First must come a secession study that will give citizens an unprecedented look at city finances and how the Valley could manage as a separate, smaller city without harming greater Los Angeles. We think the charter confirms very strongly that we are on the right path.
Some political observers agree.
People are into the reform mind set at this point. Short term, it is definitely a hypodermic boost for the credibility and phenomenon of secession. The secessionists have done very well. I don't think this can be fluffed off anymore. If the budget passes both houses as is, Gov. Gray Davis will consider whether to strike that money out.