Growth in L.A. and ‘Vigilante Planning’

As I understand our democratic form of government, the little guy is entitled to the same pursuit of happiness and equal protection of the law as the big guy. But the little guys often have to join together, fight harder and suffer more to enjoy these constitutional rights. Witness the labor movement and the civil rights movement.

In this metropolis called Los Angeles, anyone familiar with the homeowners in the Beverly Wilshire neighborhood could only rate them as little guys. They did, indeed, join forces and fight the good fight to protect those values which make their neighborhood liveable. They did take on the mighty developers of the Ma Maison Softel at Beverly and La Cienega. And they did force certain concessions from the developers, such as parking structures for hotel employees’ and guests’ cars.

But to label such homeowners as “the cleverest, meanest, . . . or, most often, the richest” is a cheap shot and unworthy of you.

No developer is going to concern himself with the quality of life in a neighborhood which he invades solely for profit. Heaven knows there already exist major threats to our City of the Angels, such as gridlock, pollution and crime.

If owners of modest homes are willing to join forces and fight gallantly to protect the civility of their neighborhoods by lawful means, you ought to be cheering them on, not condemning them. I am proud to belong to a homeowners association that works diligently and successfully to improve our quality of life.

BETTY RASKOFF KAZMIN

Los Angeles