Air Quality in the Southland

I urge business and transportation leaders in the strongest terms to abandon their opposition to the AQMD’s new clean air plan. We have put up with dirty air long enough. As a community we should feel ashamed. Our dirty air has made it clear to the world that we put profit and business before beauty and health. At last it appears some of us are taking positive steps.

As individuals we can accomplish much in both reducing congestion and smog. I personally use a bicycle for short trips, getting some much-needed exercise, and public transit for longer ones. I urge others to do the same.

To the business and transportation leadership I will say this: Please do your part and encourage public transit, ride sharing, and alternate fuels. You’ll find, faced with the reality of today’s Los Angeles, this is more profitable in the long run.

I commend the AQMD for finally acting. Let no one think they are moving too fast. This is a problem we should have dealt with 40 years ago. I just wonder if our children will be able to see the mountains on a summer’s day 40 years from now.

ROBERT M. ROMOFF

West Covina