Martinez and Montevideo

There are dolphins in the Santa Monica Bay that cruise by the mouth of Topanga Canyon several times each month. Red-tail hawks soar overhead, gracefully riding the rising air as it is gently lifted over the hills forming the sides of our canyon.

Yes, I say our canyon, because I live here too. I have lived here nearly 15 years. When was the last time Al Martinez watched the dolphins or hawks or even a local rattlesnake?

I don’t know who hired Marty to write about the Montevideo Country Club development. However, I am offended that he and other individuals in the bowels of the canyon feel that they are the only people in the world that love, enjoy or want to preserve the beauty of nature. Where was Marty when we, a group of upper-canyon dwellers were on the summit-to-summit road at 2 a.m. observing and photographing Halley’s comet?

I’m sorry, Marty. I don’t think your article does more than express the outspoken desires of a few. You do write an excellent article, though. I am impressed with phrases like the “concrete the canyon” campaign.

I am a captain of the Los Angeles City Fire Department. With 25 years of experience, I can say with authority that the 257 acres of brush are an extreme hazard, not only to the residents of our community and our homes, but also the animals who share the canyon with us.

I can’t see how the development of a lush green golf course with a few homes, tennis courts and hotel is going to concrete the canyon. The addition of water management in the form of pools, dams and regular watering can give life to the animals of the canyon and protect the homes from uncontrolled flooding of the streams during storms.

The property is privately owned. It’s their property. We live here and have built our homes! How can any of us have the audacity to say no, you can’t build on your property?

Man can live in harmony with nature. Utilizing ecological management with development, the environment can be more livable for all.

DENNIS L. ROBINSON

Topanga