Residents Upset by Galanter’s Decision

My own sampling of Baldwin Hills community opinion indicates that residents are disgusted and appalled that Councilwoman Ruth Galanter opposed the Ikea store in Crenshaw (Times, Jan. 3) without fully consulting with the community beforehand. It was a devastating decision.

Galanter’s consultations--with her own handpicked advisory board and a few self-interested entrepreneurs in the area in which the store would have gone--were by no means sufficient consultation with the community. I am sure that if a community meeting had been held or a survey conducted, the community would have overwhelmingly supported the Ikea store, particularly if it had been accompanied by a Nordstrom store.

While Galanter contends that the Ikea store “would do nothing for the community” and would create traffic problems, she should be aware that the inhabitants of this community are quite capable of determining what is in their best interests--and that includes who should represent them.

MILTON T. BASSETT

Los Angeles