Letters to the editor

A building controversy

Re "Sound at risk, Capitol says," April 23

There's probably no more iconic a building in Hollywood, view-wise from the 101 Freeway, than the Capitol Records building.

Just the idea of developers, intent on maximizing profit on their holdings, disdaining any cultural legacy or having no reverence for what came before them is disturbing.

The construction of a new, nondescript condo tower on the old KFWB site should be denied by the city of Los Angeles, not on the premise of interfering with priceless, one-of-a-kind recording studio echo chambers during construction but on the basis of obstructing the public's right to enjoy our skylines.

Don Mackay

Torrance



The Times fails to mention the overwhelming community support that exists for the 6230 Yucca St. project.

As secretary of the board for the Argyle Civic Assn., a volunteer neighborhood group in Hollywood whose members include homeowners, tenants, concerned citizens and area businesses, I can tell you that we voted enthusiastically to support Second Street Ventures' 6230 Yucca St. project.

Not only is the design of the building unique, but we were also impressed with the way the project was created to mesh with the Hollywood community.

A more balanced article would have pointed out that the developers intend to address the concerns raised by Capitol Records and that the Hollywood community is behind the project, as it will continue a renaissance that is sweeping through the Hollywood community.

Annette Ehrlich

Los Angeles

Can McCain do the job?

Re "McCain's disability pension may renew questions about his fitness," April 22

Sen. John McCain was shot down over Vietnam and suffered more than five years in a prison camp.

I doubt that anyone questions the fact that his disability pension from the Navy is well deserved.

As to whether any disabilities suffered as a result of those events would have any effect on his or anyone else's ability to serve as president, I'd like to remind The Times that Franklin D. Roosevelt's significant disabilities did not affect his ability to successfully lead this country through some of our most tumultuous times and be remembered as one of our greatest presidents.

Anthony Filosa

Los Angeles



To be disabled or not to be disabled -- is that the question? Whether to claim how thoroughly you were rehabilitated or take a tax-free $58,358 disability payment from the government, there's the rub.

I hope McCain is donating that money to the disabled veterans who were not able to put their lives back together. That money might help a couple of homeless veterans.

Barbara Hubbs

Long Beach



Regarding Pentagon tax advisor Robert Schriebman's comments concerning McCain's physical fitness: First he suggests that McCain may be too disabled to serve, but then he suggests that McCain is too fit to be receiving disability payments. Which is it? You can't have it both ways.

Jim Shade

West Covina

You be the judge

Re "Who should judge?" endorsement, April 21

Your editorial does a grave disservice. Rather than blithely extolling the virtues of your picks, you ought to take the time to recite the backgrounds of all of the candidates for Los Angeles Superior Court judge and then explain why you believe that your selections are the proper ones. You also ought to take into consideration the evaluations of the Los Angeles County Bar Assn.'s analysis and ratings of the candidates. Then your readers might be able to make a more appropriate decision about who to vote for in the June primary election.

Finally, you should do this in the week before the election rather than almost two months before. Your readers will have long forgotten what you now have to say, save for your election-day picks, which are synonymous with the multitude of pre-election ballot mailings paid for by the candidates who can afford them.

Larry Mason

Marina Del Rey



Your editorial is outstanding. Not only did you provide recommendations, you educated voters about the power of the judiciary and the way judges are appointed and elected in Los Angeles County. Voting for judges is among the most difficult decisions the electorate faces because so little is known about them or the way the process works.

Doris Rosenberg

Redondo Beach

Stamp story

Re "Salazar, 4 others on U.S. postage," April 23

Ruben Salazar in January 1961 filed a story about the political movement to incorporate East Los Angeles, describing it as a new era of political awakening.

He liked the area and its people. Regretfully, he died covering an uprising of the people of East L.A. during an antiwar demonstration. The U.S. Postal Service stamp in his honor will be a cherished memento for those of us who lived and worked in East L.A. in the 1960s.

William G. Hutson

Rancho Cucamonga

The writer was a member of the Incorporation of East Los Angeles Committee.



I still haven't seen anything that explains why the stamp pointedly omits what happened during the Chicano protest rally in East Los Angeles and who did it. Seems to kind of miss part of the point of the stamp, especially because Salazar was a journalist and here's a stamp in his honor missing two of the W's.

John Rabe

Cypress Park

The writer hosts the "Off-Ramp" program on KPCC-FM (89.3).

Foothill South is the wrong way

Re "Toll road's toll," editorial, April 19

The fact that the Transportation Corridor Agencies has requested that its appeal on the Foothill South tollway be heard by the Department of Commerce behind closed doors is another fine example of its effort to control and push its way despite public opposition. Please don't allow the TCA to get its way this time. Please keep the entire process democratic. Please allow discussion of other options. Let the people be involved. After all, it does involve public property -- the San Onofre State Beach.

Mary Anne Penton

Encinitas



The grass-roots activists opposing a toll road through a state park worked hard on behalf of all Californians, as we can all benefit by visiting the area someday.

Thank you for expressing the value of letting the people make a decision about the future of this land, because once natural open space is destroyed, it can not be replaced. Your alternative solution -- adding toll lanes to Interstate 5 -- and why it is not supported by the TCA sounds quite realistic.

It is important that The Times expresses a different view than the governor's. Keep it up.

Margot Eiser

Montebello

Not to their tastes

Re "Humble trucks, great food," Opinion, April 21

The city of Los Angeles could learn from L.A. County's decision to regulate taco trucks.

Sinking some teeth into fines is not the same as a ban.

Taco trucks' cheap eats and convenience come at a stiff price, as many proprietors leave trash behind (attracting vermin) and park on sidewalks and other public rights of way.

I agree that taco trucks are part of mega-city culture and bring life to otherwise pedestrian-dead corners, but they do not have a right to conduct business in our city's neighborhoods without proper vetting and inspection.

Most patrons of these mobile establishments would feel differently if they had one stalking their local corner night after night, hour after hour.

Bruce Durbin

Los Angeles



C. Thi Nguyen writes of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently passed measure to regulate taco truck parking in unincorporated county areas: "This is a cultural disaster. Forget the Getty -- it's the taco trucks, and their crowds, that are the true culture of L.A."

What a sad commentary on the rich culture of the City of Angels. "Forget the Getty" indeed.

Lorraine Gayer

Huntington Beach

Paying the price

Re "Lakers are no cheap thrill" and "Rice's price rise takes a toll in Manila slum," April 23

These two stories command attention.

One reported that a group of four spent about $1,000 on tickets, food and mementos at a Lakers playoff game, while the other was about people in Manila who earn $2 a day sifting through garbage because they cannot afford to buy rice to maintain themselves.

Sooner than we think, the sounds we hear will be those of our chickens coming home to roost.

Skip Nevell

Los Angeles