Vernon residents showed support for their city at a barbeque and rally Wednesday, protesting the L.A. City Council’s support of a measure that would disincorporate the city by revoking its charter.
Residents and the Vernon Chamber of Commerce cited jobs as the main reason the city should retain its charter. According to the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, Vernon is home to 1,800 businesses and employs more than 50,000 people in the city and provides 60,000 jobs outside of the city.
Vernon resident Hope Reyes talks about what it would mean to her if she lost her job. (Video by Hibah Samad)
The L.A. City Council voted unanimously March 1 to support AB 46, the legislation seeking to revoke the city’s charter and make it an unincorporated part of Los Angeles County. The bill’s author, Assembly Speaker John Perez said the bill is supported by 69 assemblyman and 23 state senators, according to the L.A. Times.
Some of the the bill’s supporter’s, including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, cited a history of public corruption charges as their motivation to dissolve the city. The bill’s supporters asserted the longstanding allegation that the city lacks a legitimate electorate because its leaders are able pick residents, thus determining the city’s tax-base.
