Building on a Mountain Top

Most of us who love this country and choose to live in it, would like to think (or is it dream?) that talent and hard work, may, among other rewards, also bring wealth.

The readers of The Times (Letters, Nov. 7) who find Merv Griffin’s wealth “sickening” are equally free to live at their own financial level while enjoying equal rights.

The ones who are incensed about Griffin’s treatment of his mountain ought to consider that this country affords him the right to his property under the 5th Amendment. However, it must be said, that those concerned with the environment, ought to be indebted to Griffin for not building 150 homes on his 156 acres but only one. Is that too much?

It is far too simplistic to think that control over the neighbor’s property enhances our environment. That very control diminishes the quality of life itself.

GEORGE CALOYANNIDIS

Los Angeles