Thursday, December 6, 2001
Page 4
Attorney Fred Gaines Elected Chairman of Valley Industry Group
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Woodland Hills environmental, zoning and land use attorney Fred Gaines has been elected the most recent chairman of the San Fernando Valley’s private, volunteer-run business advocacy group.
“I’m very excited about [Valley Industry and Commerce Association] in the coming year,” Gaines, of Gaines & Stacey, said. VICA plans to continue advocating on behalf of businesses, taking their needs to “city hall and Washington,” he said.
Gaines’ qualifications and experience in numerous city, state and local organizations including the Valley Development Forum (president, 1995), former presidency of San Fernando Valley Bar Association and Executive Vice Chair position in VICA, are some of the reasons for his election on Monday, members said.
“I think his contribution is vast amount of knowledge and experience,” Bob Pearlman, a VICA vice chair, said. “He has the ability to deal with politicians in a very professional, productive manner.” “He’s a supportive, confident, hardworking individual,” Robert L. Scott, of Scott & Associates in Calabasas, said. Scott, a commissioner of the City of Los Angeles City Planning Commission and a VICA vice chair, called Gaines “one of the most well respected land use attorneys” who, for VICA “to some extent, represents new leadership in the new millennium.”
Gaines will serve as the chairman of the board and be responsible for administration of VICA, one of the most influential, non-partisan business advocacy groups in Southern California, as well as coordinating its activities and involvements.
Among the numerous issues that VICA will address this coming year are four items Gaines calls “key” including reforming city business taxes, acquiring needed state and regional transit funds for the San Fernando Valley and supporting economic recovery with a focus on travel and entertainment industries.
Responding to controversial Valley “cityhood” issues is also on the agenda. While still gathering data with regard to reorganization, Gaines said that VICA “support[s] going to the voters with the issue” and will advocate a position with consideration to the welfare of affected businesses weighing the costs and benefits of every option, including running a city independent of Los Angeles.
“VICA is in the position of having an important voice [in Valley reorganization] and to see that these changes occur in an appropriate way,” Scott said.
Copyright 2001, Metropolitan News Company