Fans: Commissioners at Fault for L.A.’s Loss and Irwindale’s Gain

Alexander Haagen and his fellow conservative appointees to the Coliseum Commission cannot beg off the Raiders’ departure by trying to tell us that they could not match Irwindale’s $115-million offer. They could have had the Raiders for only the $17 million it would have cost to refurbish the Coliseum.

These same members are now refusing to help with USC’s basketball schedule, probably forcing USC to build an on-campus arena--another lost tenant. The final stroke will come in 1990 when the Raiders leave and there is no money left for upkeep, forcing USC to move to the Rose Bowl. Haagen will be very happy then, he can have swap meets at the Coliseum every Saturday and Sunday the year around.

WILLIAM R. SNYDER

Long Beach