Edelman’s Leadership

I was startled to read Boyarsky’s column about Supervisor Edelman. For the last six months Edelman led a public fight, apparently against all odds, to maintain funding for the mental health system.

Week after week, he forced the Department of Mental Health to revise its plans. Week after week, the television captured his eloquent testimony.

Against all odds, he saved the mental health system by negotiating with his Republican colleagues a compromise of tax increases and budget shifts.

I guess a columnist is entitled to his opinion, but then as a citizen and mental health practitioner, so am I, and leadership and Ed Edelman are synonymous to me.

SUSAN MANDEL

Pasadena