Alarcon to Discuss City Charter Reform

Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon will discuss city charter reform Wednesday at a luncheon of the Sylmar Community Coordinating Council.

Alarcon will talk about the movement to reform Los Angeles’ 72-year-old city charter, which acts as a constitution for the city, said council spokeswoman Irma Goodman. The topic has heated up in recent months as members of the City Council and Mayor Richard Riordan have proposed different plans for reform.

Last week, under orders from a federal judge, the City Council voted to put Riordan’s reform initiative on the April ballot. The measure, which received 304,000 petition signatures, will ask voters to create a 15-member elected panel to overhaul the outdated charter.

Some council members said that with the election so near, only those candidates backed by Riordan will be prepared for the race.

In the past, Alarcon has supported charter reform, saying that it should be designed to give residents more decision-making authority.

The Community Coordinating Council, open to individuals, groups and businesses, serves as a forum for the improvement of Sylmar.

Wednesday’s luncheon will be held at noon at Mandarin King restaurant, 17092 Devonshire St., Northridge.

For more information, call (818) 362-2299.