Deputy Mayor’s Presence Is Cautiously Applauded

VAN NUYS —  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 the Van Nuys office since early March. 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 also has been assigned as Riordan’s liaison to the Local Agency Formation Commission, which is considering the secession application.

Violante said his new 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. “I’m here to monitor the concerns of the Valley and make sure they are met.”

Though he declined to directly answer questions about his mission on secession, he 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 from 15 to 25 members, is on the June 8 ballot, and many believe it must win in the Valley to carry citywide.

“This is the year of reform,” said Violante.

Noelia Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for Riordan, said Violante was not assigned to the Valley just because secessionists are moving forward.

“Secession of course is one issue, but it’s not the only reason he’s been placed out there,” she said. “Bill Violante being out there puts another face closer to people in the Valley.”

Charter reform and Riordan’s push for expanded public safety programs also are key issues, she said. Valley voters played a key role on Tuesday in killing a proposed $744-million police and fire facilities bond.

Violante, 51, is a former police officer who was president of the Police Protective League when he was hired in 1993 by Riordan as public safety deputy.

Born and raised in the Valley, Violante attended Reseda High School and Pierce College before graduating from the University of Redlands with a degree in public service management. He is pursuing a master’s degree.

Violante is one of the last few high-level aides who have been with Riordan since the beginning of his administration.

The timing is interesting.

A recent Times poll found that 60% of Valley voters favor secession, but 82% said their neighborhoods are doing well and 57% rated Riordan’s performance favorably.

“One of the things I’ve learned is the Valley feels good about some of the changes the mayor has made, especially regarding public safety,” Violante said.

Riordan’s predecessor, Tom Bradley, routinely assigned a deputy mayor to head up his Valley field office. Dodo Meyer, and later Richard Alarcon, made the position a high-profile one, so much so that Meyer was often referred to as “Mayor of the Valley.” The post was so prominent that Alarcon was able to leave it and win a seat on the Los Angeles City Council and later the state Senate.

Riordan has visited the Valley frequently, which gave him strong support both times he ran.

Fleming said he and other advisors to the mayor told Riordan some time ago that the Valley should get attention from a higher-level staffer.

“It’s important to have that presence,” Fleming said.

Violante supplements the existing staff of two lower-level field deputies and members of the mayor’s business assistance team.

Close said the only chance Riordan has of stopping secession is to restructure City Hall’s relationship with the Valley and provide it more of its fair share of city resources. Close said it is clear there is a link between the qualifying of the cityhood study petitions and the mayor’s heightened level of interest in the Valley.

Close, who is also president of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn., said there is symbolism to the level of person assigned to the Valley.

“The question is: Is it too late? Are the problems too big now to be solved?” Close said.