Petition Drive Begins on City Charter Reform
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Breaking ranks with Los Angeles city officials, a San Fernando Valley leader in the movement to reform the City Charter announced plans Wednesday for a petition drive to authorize a proposed citizens panel that would submit reform measures directly to the voters.
David Fleming, an influential Studio City business leader who teamed up with city officials to lead a charter reform effort, said he fears that the City Council will otherwise quash reform measures that would erode the council’s power.
Because of that concern, Fleming and about 50 Valley leaders said Wednesday that they are launching a petition drive to allow a citizens panel to bypass the council and put the measures directly on the April ballot.
Fleming, who also heads the city’s Fire Commission, and other Valley leaders must collect more than 200,000 signatures on a petition by the end of October. They submitted a letter Wednesday to Mayor Richard Riordan, asking him to back their effort.
Speaking through an aide, Riordan said he understands the frustration of Valley residents but has not decided whether he will back the initiative process.
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