PERSPECTIVES ON L.A.’S NEW LEADERSHIP : Business Group Sees Riordan as a Friend

Valley Industry and Commerce Assn. Chairman Ben Reznik said there is no question what Los Angeles’ new mayor will mean to business in the San Fernando Valley.

“We’ve got a friend in Dick Riordan,” said the leader of the 300-member nonpartisan booster group. “We’re glad he’s mayor.”

The pro-business Riordan gained the support of VICA during the campaign with such ideas as privatizing city garbage collection and leasing Los Angeles International Airport to generate more revenue for the city.

But Reznik said that regardless of whether those particular ideas are realized, his group should work well with the Administration in exploring new approaches to government.

“We are supportive of reinventing city government,” Reznik said, “and using private-sector management tools to help make government more effective.”

He said VICA may have some clout in commission appointments and in Riordan’s plan to consolidate city services.

“Dick Riordan told me personally, he wants our input,” Reznik said. “And we’re going to give it to him.”

He said he expects VICA’s relationship with Riordan to be far more open than its ties with Tom Bradley.

“There’s that relationship where they know they can just pick up the phone and call us,” he said. “They are looking for our recommendations.”