Mayor Bradley’s Mail, You Might Have Guessed, Is Mixed Bag ‘I enclosed these false teeth to show you what they look like.’

The letter from a South Los Angeles woman angry about bad-fitting dentures was typical of the correspondence Mayor Tom Bradley has received from his city’s more offbeat residents.

The letter, found in Bradley’s office mailbag a year ago by administrative coordinator Raye Cunningham, was not the only thing included in the envelope.

Teeth Caused Blisters

“I enclosed these false teeth to show you what they look like,” the woman wrote. “Enclosed is the name of the dentist. I gave him $200. He wants $400, but I don’t think they are worth that.”

She said the teeth caused blisters, were not white and “look used--like someone else had them!”

Cunningham returned the teeth and wrote the woman that she should visit her dentist and explain to him that they do not fit properly.

“That was one of the weirdest letters I’ve seen,” Cunningham said. “I couldn’t believe she sent her teeth. But she had a problem and we did the best we could to help her.”

Other interesting letters included one from “Mr. Sun,” who threatened to “burn up the world” if the mayor didn’t find him housing and a job.

Cunningham said the mayor does not respond to “Mr. Sun” or the “Gods” and “Jesus Christs” who have written because he does not want to encourage their craziness.

Most of the letters are not so offbeat. Many people want Bradley’s help in fixing a leaky roof, finding a home or obtaining a job. Cunningham said each problem is researched and a letter written to address the concerns.

“When they write and tell me they’re living in their car and need a job and have no money I refer them to the county (Department of Public) Social Services,” she said. “Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about it.

“We can put out fires and send out police officers and pick up your trash and put in street lights, but we’re not in charge of human services. That’s very frustrating to me because the most I can do is talk to them; I cannot help.”

But sometimes, like the case of the leaky roof at a city-subsidized low-income housing project, she can help. After receiving the letter, Cunningham discovered that the roof would be fixed and wrote the resident with the good news.

Some of the letters are heart-wrenching, like the one from the lonely man seeking Bradley’s help in finding a wife. The mayor wrote back suggesting that he enroll in a nearby community college or volunteer his time to some worthy group.

Rash of Compliments

The Summer Olympics sparked a rash of complimentary letters from throughout the city, state, country and world.

One not so complimentary letter blasted the headless, naked Olympic Gateway sculptures depicting athletes.

“Who performs in the Olympic Games naked as the statues?” a Michigan woman asked. “They should’ve had athletic clothes on--as is, they are gross. Why didn’t they have heads--the most important part of the body?

“No wonder there was a crowd milling around them--they were probably all perverts,” she concluded.

Bradley responded that public reaction was mostly favorable and it was a bit premature to suggest removing them. But he thanked the woman for her letter.

Cunningham said staff members write out responses to the letters, which are then reviewed by Bradley. He frequently changes the letters or writes his own response.

She said Bradley generally burns the midnight oil poring over his daily correspondence.

“Overall, I really enjoy the letters,” Cunningham said. “When you can help somebody it really makes you feel good.”