Fire Safety a Top Priority

Because of the recent articles by Amy Pyle, the real problems at Malibou Lakeside can no longer be ignored.

Mr. Bendel’s letter stated “safety cannot be compromised.” Therefore, we challenge Randy Bendel and the MLHA to prove their concern for the fire safety of this community by working to: (1) stop the blockage of emergency equipment caused by cars of illegal tenants parked on the streets; (2) insist that single-family dwellings not be converted into illegal multiple units, creating over-population; (3) stop narrow streets from being lined with cars of homeowners whose garages are filled with combustible materials; (4) voluntarily replace wood shake with fire-safe roofing; (5) voluntarily install or replace faulty spark arresters; (6) clear out flammable items from around flammable houses; (7) voluntarily remove illegal structures from road easements; (8) urge the county and the state to keep the evacuation route through the park clear and passable.

We challenge you to join the owners of 94 parcels of vacant land who have voluntarily agreed to share the costs of fire and health safety improvements.

We challenge you to consider the health safety of all children and adults who inhabit this area by admitting that “gray water” from antiquated septic systems is running down the streets and polluting the ground.

We challenge you to admit that your opposition to the developer’s proposal to bring an accessible sewer to the community at his own expense was only to stop vacant landowners from building on their lots.

We challenge you to find a reason, if fire safety improvements are implemented and health problems are solved, not to permit the legal and reasonable development of vacant land.

PHYLLIS DAUGHERTY, Los Angeles. Daugherty wrote on behalf of Malibou Lakeside Vacant Landowners