Riordan Sends Aide to Valley

Reflecting political ferment in the San Fernando Valley, Mayor Richard Riordan has for the first time assigned a deputy mayor, his highest-level representative, to his Van Nuys office.

Bill Violante, a longtime Valley resident, has been working half-time in Van Nuys. Local leaders had long urged Riordan to station a deputy mayor in the Valley.

“It’s very important that it happened,” said Studio City attorney Dave Fleming, a Riordan confidant. “One of the primary reasons for the secession issue and charter reform is the feeling of disconnect between the Valley and City Hall.

“This is the first of many important steps to be taken to address the causes of unrest in the San Fernando Valley,” Fleming said.

Others were less sanguine, wondering whether Violante’s real job is to hinder Valley cityhood.

“If he’s out here to get resources to take care of the Valley’s problems, it’s good,” said Richard Close, chairman of Valley VOTE. “If he’s here to be a spy, to stop the Valley cityhood effort, that’s bad.’

Violante has also been assigned as Riordan’s liaison to the Local Agency Formation Commission, which is considering the secession application.

Violante said his assignments are designed to make sure the mayor’s reform agenda is effectively presented and that Valley constituents have access to the mayor’s office.

“I see my role as just a continuation and expansion of the mayor’s commitment to the San Fernando Valley,” Violante said. He declined to directly answer questions about his mission on secession but said he will promote charter reform, which Riordan calls the best alternative to breaking up the city.

The charter reform proposal, which would give the mayor more power, create advisory neighborhood councils and give voters a chance to expand the City Council to 25 members, is on the June 8 ballot, and many believe it must win in the Valley to carry citywide.