All Sides of Issue Should Be Heard

Our Neighborhood Watch Program and our October, 1987, earthquake have made us aware of change. Ordinarily, we are not involved with “causes,” but there are issues in our city that have activated our written response.

The City Council’s $5,000 retreat in Temecula raises many questions (“Whittier Mayor Calls Council Retreat Proper,” Times, Aug. 11). Aside from the financial and logistical quandaries of this official session, why were 10 local land developers reported in attendance, and no residents of the areas to be developed? If topics so crucial to our city as zoning, earthquake recovery and historical preservation were not discussed with total input, what side was given? Where are the minutes of this official session? The newspaper reported the developers’ testimony, “Quality should be encouraged--but later.” Why not quality now.? Could another retreat be held in town so that residents could give their testimony?

Whittier has a marvelous opportunity to improve. We all have interests here, but isn’t it time to put the good of the community first? All our officials have an awesome responsibility to give their time, patience, sensitivity and, yes, extra effort to all sides of an issue. We are counting on their leadership to do the best they can for the entire community.

BARRIE and RUTH CRUICKSHANK

ARTHUR and MARTHA ELLINGWOOD

SONJA ANN MANASIAN

LOUIS PAREDES

CHRISTOPH and JULIA RITTERSHAUSEN

RICHARD E. and CLAUDIA A. TODD

FREDERICK J. TORRES

Residents of the 6200 block of Washington Avenue in Whittier