Page 9 - lw3197

-7-

metropolitan San Fernando Valley to the south by the San Gabriel

and Santa Susana Mountains. The water drainage basin and river

system are distinct from either the Los Angeles Basin area or the

[] Antelope Valley. The northern boundary is the Angeles National

Forest.
In preceding decades, the remoteness of this area resulted

in the pulling together and bonding of residents for common
causes. As the population increased, centers developed where some

. specialized or unique local community features were recognized1

even so the commonalities of the entire valley prevailed. The

[J people of the Santa Clarita Valley continued to form one cohesive
entity on the significant issues. Examples of this included the

two efforts to form a separate county. One Canyon County forma-

tion election preceded the passage of the property tax measure

(Proposition 13) and the other followed its passage. An over-

whelming majority of local residents throughout the Santa Clarita

Valley voted for local government in these elections in 1976 and
l J 1978. The vote carried in every one of the five communities

within the area of the proposed city.

Since then, valley-wide interests have been evident over

circulation issues, appeals to keep both Federal and State prisons

out of the area, and a unique campaign against the inappropriate

location of toxic waste facilities.

Social and service organizations derive membership from

throughout the valley. Charitable organizations, churches, hos-

pitals and other groups organize units which are valley-wide in

nature. The two Chambers of Commerce have several significant
I