‘Hyper-Negotiated’ Land Swap

Strange coincidence: On the same day (May 4) that you report that a Tennessee developer is suing to stop Bob Hope from selling his land to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Sen. Alan Cranston announces his opposition to the land exchange that would make the sale possible.

If Cranston is such a friend of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, why does he try to stop Bob Hope from donating and selling 5,700 acres? Should we ask the Tennessee developer why Alan Cranston doesn’t want the Park Service to swap 59 acres for 5,700 acres?

DIANA MALMQUIST

Westlake Village