Guide to the Harrison Sheppard Secession Movements Collection

Special Collections & Archives

University Library

California State University, Northridge

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Northridge, CA 91330-8326

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Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives

Title: Harrison Sheppard Secession Movements Collection

Creator: Sheppard, Harrison

Identifier/Call Number: URB.HSS

Extent: 5.42 linear feet

Extent: 133 Megabytes

Date (inclusive): 1961-2002

Date (bulk): 2000-2002

Abstract: A native of New Jersey, Harrison Sheppard worked as journalist and city editor for the Daily News of Van Nuys, California, from 1999 to 2014, where he covered numerous secession movements around Los Angeles in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The collection documents Sheppard's work as a reporter for the Daily News, and covers the grassroots efforts of the citizens of the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood, and Los Angeles' Harbor City area to secede and form independent cities between 1999 and 2002.

Language of Material: English, Spanish; Castilian

Biographical Information:

A native of New Jersey, Harrison Sheppard worked as journalist and city editor for the Daily News of Van Nuys, CA, from 1999 to 2014. He has also written for several papers in the suburban Boston area and for the Los Angeles Times . The Daily News, founded in 1911, focuses its news coverage on the San Fernando Valley. Sheppard's assignments for the Daily News included serving as Sacramento Bureau Chief, as well as covering Los Angeles City Hall, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the San Fernando Valley secession drive of 1999-2002.

The San Fernando Valley Secession drive was one of many secession movements that mobilized in Los Angeles during the 2002 election cycle. While the secession movement in Los Angeles' Harbor City area never made it onto a ballot, citizens of Los Angeles were able to vote on Measures F and H, which would have allowed the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood, respectively, to secede from Los Angeles and form their own cities. These secession movements were generally opposed by the League of Women Voters, the Council of Religious Leaders of Greater Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the Service Employees International Union Local 347, and the Latino Coalition for a United Los Angeles. While members of the different movements supported each other's goals, the character of each movement was distinct, with Hollywood's movement driven largely by charismatic individuals.

The secession movement in the San Fernando Valley was largely fueled by local business associations, such as the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley, and was also supported by the Republican Central Committee, the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization, Senator Tom McClintock, and the Mexican American Political Association. It started in the relatively affluent and conservative western portion of the valley, while opposition was strongest in the eastern section, which was home to a greater proportion of Latinos, Democrats, and lower-income residents than other parts of the Valley. Voters in the San Fernando Valley supported secession by a narrow margin, but both Measures F and H were defeated by voters in greater Los Angeles.

Scope and Contents

The Harrison Sheppard Secession Movements Collection documents Sheppard's work as a reporter for the Daily News of Van Nuys, California, and covers the grassroots efforts of the citizens of the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood, and Los Angeles' Harbor City area to secede and form independent cities between 1999 and 2002. The majority of the collection deals with the San Fernando Valley secession movement, with fewer materials documenting secession movements in Hollywood and Harbor City. The collection does not include Sheppard's notes, drafts of his news stories, or the completed news stories themselves. The collection has been divided into two major series: Reports and Proposals (1999-2002), and Working Files (1961-2002).

Series I, Reports and Proposals, documents official responses to the secession movements in the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood, and the Harbor City area. It contains fiscal analyses of the proposed reorganizations, maps of the regions before the proposed secessions, reports on potential legal and financial liabilities, a report on the potential impact of secession on low income residents, and redistricting proposals and maps. Agencies producing these reports and proposals include the Local Agency Formation Commission, City Hall and the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, and the UCLA Center for Labor Research and Education. The series is arranged alphabetically.

Series II, Working Files, documents the secession movements through Sheppard's research, primarily through local and national news stories on the movements, as well as articles on Valley secession movements of the 1960s and 1970s, and Daily News articles 1996-1999. This series also contains ballots and ballot statements, polls, election returns, press releases, agendas from debates and meetings, memorabilia, and TV advertisements. This series also documents official and unofficial responses to the movements, including statements from Mayor Hahn and city council members opposing secession, and grassroots responses for and against secession. It also contains campaign materials from the individuals who started the secession movements and hoped to serve on the new city councils, including business owner Gene La Pietra and realtor and journalist Pashree Sripipat for Hollywood; California State Assemblyman Keith Richman, M.D. and political activist and businesswoman Terry Stone for the San Fernando Valley. The series is arranged alphabetically.

Arrangement of Materials:

Series I: Reports and Proposals, 1999-2002

Series II: Working Files, 1961-2002

Preferred Citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials guide.

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Harrison Sheppard

Processing Information:

Philip Walsh, 2015

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Ephemera

Maps

Documents

Series I: Reports and Proposals, 1999-2002

Box 1, Folder 1

2000 Animal Facilities Bond Report, April 2002

Box 1, Folder 2

Analysis of Alternative Districting Plan, California Latino Redistricting Coalition, 2002 April 23

Box 1, Folder 3

Changing Face of the San Fernando Valley

Box 1, Folder 4

City Administrative Office - Cash Flow Report

Box 1, Folder 5

City Administrative Officer Response to Comprehensive Fiscal Analyses

Box 1, Folder 6

City Council District Boundaries, 2002 May 21

Box 1, Folder 7

City of Los Angeles Geographic Review Analysis, 1998-1999

Box 1, Folder 8

City Response to Local Agency Formation Commission, Valley Secession, 2001 June 13

Box 1, Folder 9

City Response to Local Agency Formation Commission, Valley Secession, 2001 June 13

Box 1, Folder 10

City Response to Local Agency Formation Commission, Valley Secession, 2001 June 13

Box 1, Folder 11

City Response to Local Agency Formation Commission, Valley Secession, 2001 June 13

Box 1, Folder 12

City Response to Local Agency Formation Commission, Harbor Secession, 2001 July 19

Box 2, Folder 1

City Response to Local Agency Formation Commission, Harbor Secession, 2001 July 19

Box 2, Folder 2

Division of Service Cost Burdens, San Fernando Valley Separation, 2002 May 13

Box 2, Folder 3

Division of Service Cost Burdens, San Fernando Valley Separation, Appendix, 2002 May 13

Box 2, Folder 4

Division of Service Cost Burdens, San Fernando Valley Separation, 2002 June 18

Box 2, Folder 5

Division of Service Cost Burdens, San Fernando Valley Separation, Appendix, Volume I, 2002 June 18

Box 2, Folder 6

Division of Service Cost Burdens, San Fernando Valley Separation, Appendix, Volume II, 2002 June 18

Box 3, Folder 1

Harbor Proposal for Special Reorganization, Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis, 2002 January 9

Box 3, Folder 2

Harbor: Local Agency Formation Commission Special Reorganization, 2002 May 15

Box 3, Folder 3

Harbor Proposal for Special Reorganization, Draft Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis, 2001 October 4

Box 3, Folder 4

Harbor Proposal for Special Reorganization, Initial Fiscal Analysis, 2001 April 25

Box 3, Folder 5

Hollywood: Candidate Preferences, Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Voters, 2002 July 7

Box 3, Folder 6

Hollywood Proposal for Special Reorganization, Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis, 2002 March 6

Box 3, Folder 7

Local Agency Formation Commission: Hollywood Secession, Staff Report on Terms and Conditions

Box 3, Folder 8

Local Agency Formation Commission: Initial Fiscal Analysis, San Fernando Valley

Box 3, Folder 9

Local Agency Formation Commission: Special Reorganization, Supplemental Report, 2002 June 3

Box 3, Folder 10

Local Agency Formation Commission Resolution Making Determinations for Approval of Secession

Box 4, Folder 1

Los Angeles City Current Revenues, 2002 May 21

Box 4, Folder 2

Left Behind, October 2002

Box 4, Folder 3

Legal Issues Raised by San Fernando Valley Secession, 2001 June 15

Box 4, Folder 4

Map of San Fernando Valley Special Reorganization

Box 4, Folder 5

New Valley City Council

Box 4, Folder 6

New Valley City Council

Box 4, Folder 7

Objections to At-Large Election System for Hollywood

Box 4, Folder 8

Reorganization Plan, San Fernando Valley, 2001 May 14

Box 4, Folder 9

Report on Requests for Reconsideration, San Fernando Valley Reorganization, 2002 July 3

Box 4, Folder 10

Report on Requests for Reconsideration, Hollywood Area, 2002 July 19

Box 4, Folder 11

Request for Proposal Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis, 1999 August 10

Box 4, Folder 12

Request for Proposal, Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis, 1999 December 20

Box 4, Folder 13

Request for Proposal Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis of San Fernando Valley and Harbor City Secessions, 1999 August 9

Box 4, Folder 14

Request for Reconsideration to Local Agency Formation Commission, 2002 June 18

Box 4, Folder 15

Reviews of Comprehensive Fiscal Analyses of Secessions

Box 4, Folder 16

San Fernando Valley: Local Agency Formation Commission, Initial Fiscal Analysis, 2001 March 28

Box 4, Folder 17

San Fernando Valley: Local Agency Commission Draft, 2001 October 4

Box 5, Folder 1

San Fernando Valley: Local Agency Commission Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis, 2002 January 9

Box 5, Folder 2

San Fernando Valley: Local Agency Commission Special Reorganization, 2002 April 24

Box 5, Folder 3

San Fernando Valley: Local Agency Formation Commission Supplemental Report, 2002 February 21

Box 5, Folder 4

Supplemental Report to Local Agency Formation Commission, San Fernando Valley Secession, 2002 May 20

Series II: Working Files, 1961-2002

Box 5, Folder 5

African-American Secession

Box 5, Folder 6

Alarcón, Richard

Box 5, Folder 7

Alarcón Senate Bill 1942

Box 5, Folder 8

Alimony

Box 5, Folder 9

American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California

Box 5, Folder 10

Angels Walk

Box 5, Folder 11

Assets

Box 5, Folder 12

Ballot Statements and Arguments

Box 5, Folder 13

Bernson, Delgadillo, Padilla, Appointment and Removal of Local Agency Formation Commission Representatives

Box 5, Folder 14

Board of Supervisors: Protest and Survey

Box 5, Folder 15

Bond Measures

Box 5, Folder 16

Bond Rating

Box 5, Folder 17

Boundaries, Cahuenga Pass

Box 5, Folder 18

Brain, Jeff

Box 5, Folder 19

Bus Riders Union

Box 5, Folder 20

Calemine, Larry

Box 5, Folder 21

California Fair Political Practices Commission

Box 5, Folder 22

Campaign Finance Statements

Box 6, Folder 1

Candidate Filing

Box 6, Folder 2

Candidates

Box 6, Folder 3

Candidates

Box 6, Folder 4

Candidates

Box 6, Folder 5

Candidates List

Box 6, Folder 6

City Administrative Officer

Box 6, Folder 7

City Ethics Commission

Box 6, Folder 8

City Facilities and First Amendment

Box 6, Folder 9

City of Los Angeles Objections to Local Agency Formation Commission Terms and Conditions

Box 6, Folder 10

Civic Forum Voter's Guide

Box 6, Folder 11

Clergy and Labor for Los Angeles

Box 6, Folder 12

Clout

Box 6, Folder 13

Coalition for Economic Survival

Box 6, Folder 14

Committee Investigation Valley Independence

Box 6, Folder 15

Comprehensive Fiscal Analyses, Drafts

Box 6, Folder 16

Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis

Box 6, Folder 17

Contributions

Box 6, Folder 18

Controller Review of Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis

Box 6, Folder 19

Cortese-Knox

Box 7, Folder 1

Council Candidates, Valley City

Box 7, Folder 2

County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Supplemental Agenda, 2002 July 24

Box 7, Folder 3

County of Los Angeles Counsel, Special Reorganization Elections

Box 7, Folder 4

County of Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Tax Revenue Loss

Box 7, Folder 5

Daily News, 1996

Box 7, Folder 6

Daily News, 1997

Box 7, Folder 7

Daily News, 1998

Box 7, Folder 8

Daily News, 1999

Box 7, Folder 9

Daily News, 1999

Box 7, Folder 10

Debt

Box 7, Folder 11

Democrats

Box 7, Folder 12

Declaration of Independence of the People of the San Fernando Valley

Box 7, Folder 13

Debates and Discussion Forums

Box 7, Folder 14

Department of Water and Power

Box 7, Folder 15

Disclosure Lobbying and Finance

Box 7, Folder 16

East Hollywood Community Association - Valley Financial Analysis

Box 7, Folder 17

Election Results

Box 8, Folder 1

Entertainment Industry Development Corporation

Box 8, Folder 2

Environmental Impact Report/California Environmental Quality Act of 1970

Box 8, Folder 3

Environmental Impact Report/California Environmental Quality Act of 1970

Box 8, Folder 4

Hahn, James

Box 8, Folder 5

Harbor Secession

Box 8, Folder 6

History, Old Clips, 1961-1996

Box 8, Folder 7

History, Old Clips, 1961-1996

Box 8, Folder 8

Herrera, Carol

Box 8, Folder 9

Hollywood and Highland, Tritec Hahn

Box 8, Folder 10

Hollywood and San Fernando Valley Secessions

Box 8, Folder 11

Hollywood Independence Committee

Box 8, Folder 12

Hollywood Independence Committee

Box 8, Folder 13

Hollywood School District Breakup Effort

Box 9, Folder 1

Hollywood Secession

Box 9, Folder 2

Hollywood Secession

Box 9, Folder 3

Housing and Taxes

Box 9, Folder 4

L.A. United

Box 9, Folder 5

La Pietra Raid

Box 9, Folder 6

LA Union

Box 9, Folder 7

LaBonge, Tom: Decentralized City Government

Box 9, Folder 8

Labor

Box 9, Folder 9

Latino Secession

Box 9, Folder 10

Lawsuits

Box 9, Folder 11

League of Women Voters

Box 9, Folder 12

Legal Opinions

Box 9, Folder 13

Liability Claims and Workers' Compensation

Box 9, Folder 14

Local Agency Formation Commissions

Box 9, Folder 15

Local Agency Formation Commission Fiscal Analysis of Proposal Issues

Box 9, Folder 16

Local Agency Formation Commission: Harbor Secession, 2000 January 5

Box 9, Folder 17

Local Agency Formation Commission Regular Meeting Agenda, 2002 May 22

Box 9, Folder 18

Local Agency Commission Meeting Agenda, San Fernando Valley, 2000 January 26

Box 9, Folder 19

Local Agency Formation Commission Revenue Neutrality

Box 10, Folder 1

Local Media

Box 10, Folder 2

Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE)

Box 10, Folder 3

Los Angeles Block Grant Exception

Box 10, Folder 4

Los Angeles City Ethics Commission

Box 10, Folder 5

Los Angeles Times Headlines

Box 10, Folder 6

Los Angeles Times Headlines

Box 10, Folder 7

Mayoral Survey, Secession

Box 10, Folder 8

Miscikowski, Cindy

Box 10, Folder 9

Morality

Box 10, Folder 10

Municipal Secession Fiscal Analysis Scoping Study

Box 10, Folder 11

Murph Committee

Box 10, Folder 12

Names, Valley City

Box 10, Folder 13

National Organization for Women

Box 10, Folder 14

National Media

Box 10, Folder 15

Negotiations, October-November 2001

Box 10, Folder 16

No on Secession

Box 10, Folder 17

North Valley Coalition Survey

Box 10, Folder 18

One Los Angeles

Box 10, Folder 19

Padilla, Alex

Box 10, Folder 20

Political Reform Act Violations

Box 11, Folder 1

Police and Sheriff, Secession

Box 11, Folder 2

Polls

Box 11, Folder 3

Proposed New Valley City Council Districts

Box 11, Folder 4

Proposition Q

Box 11, Folder 5

Race, Class and Enclave Consciousness in Urban Secession Movements

Box 11, Folder 6

Real Estate and Politics

Box 11, Folder 7

Recapturing the Vibrancy of Los Angeles

Box 11, Folder 8

Revenue Neutrality

Box 11, Folder 9

Riordan, Richard

Box 11, Folder 10

Sample Ballot

Box 11, Folder 11

San Fernando Valley Independence Committee

Box 11, Folder 12

San Fernando Valley Independence Committee

Box 11, Folder 13

San Fernando Valley Petition Signatures

Box 11, Folder 14

San Fernando Valley Vision Statement

Box 11, Folder 15

Secession: The Facts

Box 11, Folder 16

Sheftel Court Complaint

Box 11, Folder 17

Steps to Special Reorganization Study

Box 11, Folder 18

Special Reorganization Process

Box 11, Folder 19

Stranded Costs

Box 11, Folder 20

Statement of Organization - Measure Q

Box 11, Folder 21

Tax Returns

Box 12, Folder 1

Terms and Conditions

Box 12, Folder 2

Terms and Conditions

Box 12, Folder 3

Terms and Conditions

Box 12, Folder 4

Terms and Conditions

Box 12, Folder 5

Think Twice: The Secession Report, 2002 October 1

Box 12, Folder 6

Timeline

Box 12, Folder 7

Transition Period

Box 12, Folder 8

UCLA Center for Labor Research and Education

Box 12, Folder 9

United Valley Candidates

Box 12, Folder 10

United Chambers of Commerce

Box 12, Folder 11

Valley Industry and Commerce Association

Box 12, Folder 12

Valley Study Foundation

Box 12, Folder 13

Valley Study Foundation, Comments on Local Agency Formation Commission Draft

Box 12, Folder 14

Valley Vote

Box 12, Folder 15

Van Nuys Airport

Box 12, Folder 16

Water and Power - Secession

Box 12, Folder 17

Westchester Secession

Box 12, Folder 18

Yes on Secession

Box 13, Item 1

Laborers 777 Members Vote the Power shirt

Box 13, Item 2

Free the Valley shirt

Digital Folder

Hey L.A. Set Hollywood Free

Digital Folder

Hollywood 5 Ads

Digital Folder

Hollywood Free, 2002 August 8

Digital Folder

Imagine Valley

Digital Folder

Valley Ads