Landmark for Compton

I would certainly agree that the current dilapidated condition of the former home of President George Bush (Santa Fe Gardens Apartments) in Compton reveals the stark disparity between the “kinder, gentler” Compton in 1949 (when the President lived there) and the Compton of today--a symbol of the “urban abandonment” throughout America in the past 12 years. However, I must take exception to your statement that a proposed monument to the President’s historic presence in Compton is an “unnecessary” gesture (editorial, Aug. 4).

The very fact that your paper and countless media have picked up on this story has already accomplished one of my major intents: to inform the world of one surprising piece of trivia--that a U.S. President, Democratic or Republican, actually lived in Compton. Some Bush detractors might snap “who cares?” But even now eyebrows are raising from coast to coast, realizing that there is so much more to Compton than the rap group N.W.A., gangs, violence and tragedy. Compton is a city that has given birth to more professional athletes and gold medalists than perhaps any American city per capita.

Thanks to this “presidential” news story, you have, for the first time in my many years of reading your paper, printed some positive facts about Compton and its middle-class, hard-working, moral majority.

At any rate, there is one thing on which we both agree: The challenge and moral imperative are to restore a “dream deferred” in Compton and in America. I have certainly put the challenge to President Bush to help us in Compton. If he will not, I’m sure we can find another President who will.

MAYOR WALTER R. TUCKER III

Compton