Cardenas to Discuss Valley Secession

State Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar) will discuss statewide repercussions of the San Fernando Valley secession movement Friday in North Hollywood.

The discussion, which will also touch on the challenges Cardenas has faced as a freshman lawmaker, is part of the Valley Leadership Institute’s alumni breakfast, to be held at the Beverly Garland Hotel.

“We try to get our alumni together once a year, and also try to recruit new people,” said Debbie Adelsberg, a spokeswoman for the group. The nonprofit institute, directed by local business, civic and community leaders, offers a one-year course to prepare members for the challenges of leadership.

Cardenas, City Councilman Richard Alarcon and heads of several Valley groups are alumni of the institute.

Cardenas has agreed to discuss secession and his first term in office and answer audience questions.

“We’ve set it up as sort of open-ended,” Adelsberg said.

The event is scheduled from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the hotel, 4222 Vineland Ave. The breakfast costs $12 for institute members or alumni, and $15 for others, with tickets available at the door.

For more information, call Adelsberg at (818) 348-6238.