Riordan Stops at Three Valley Sites

Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan made three stops in the Valley on Friday, reminding business and community leaders of his opposition to secession and his confidence in L.A.’s ability to attract and retain profitable businesses.

The visits, which aides said were planned months ago, came a day after a bill by Assemblywoman Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills) fell two votes shy of the 21 needed for passage. The measure would have removed veto power of the City Council over applications to leave the city.

“It was a close vote, and I expect it’ll be back in some form,” Riordan said during a question-and-answer session at Southwest Mill and Lumber. “People have a right to vote on what they determine to be their best interest. But I would campaign against secession. It’s bad for the Valley and bad for the city of Los Angeles. We’ve done well together. Let’s not split apart.”

The visit to the mill, which was started by Aaron Bros. Art Mart founder Charles Aaron, gave Riordan his first opportunity to meet with Valley constituents since the Boland bill.

The mayor, however, kept the focus on saluting Southwest Mill and Lumber for deciding to remain at its Clybourn Avenue site. The company had considered moving, possibly to Mexico, but Riordan said business initiatives he has championed helped keep it in L.A.

As workers passed pieces of lumber through circular saws and vats of varnish, company officials showed Riordan around the mill.

Sweat darkening parts of his shirt front, the mayor peeked into a sawdust-storage shed and watched as wood was cut and stained for picture frames.

Also Friday, the mayor met with Valley leaders at a Kaiser Permanente facility in Panorama City and had lunch with business and community officials in Tujunga.

At both stops, Riordan answered questions that largely dealt with Valley secession and welfare reform.