Nava Cites Priorities

Regarding the Letter to the Editor entitled “Nava Not Informed,” which you gave such prominence to in the Dec. 20 Valley edition, I would like to clarify a harmful wrong impression. The writer was not present at the press conference and this explains why it is he who is not informed.

Contrary to the thrust of the letter, I said that since the city is broke--and to make it worse, the city treasurer underestimated next year’s income by about $21 million--the next mayor will have to make hard choices.

I rank sanitation, fire protection and public safety above all city budget items. Everything else will have to go on the chopping block--yes, even the arts if need be. I say this even as chairperson of a community-based symphony orchestra, whose directors may replace me. The results of a poll we took by inviting Valley citizens to dial 1-800-LA 4-NAVA were clearly in favor of more police protection than support for this one worthy project.

JULIAN NAVA

Northridge

Nava is a candidate for mayor of Los Angeles.