Spirit of Los Angeles in Quake Crisis

As a foreign correspondent who has lived and worked in Los Angeles since 1970 (and who lives right next to three red-tagged houses in the hills of Sherman Oaks) I would like to tell you how impressed I have been by the people of this city during the past two weeks--by the way they helped each other, worked as long and as hard as was necessary and, above all, by the way they managed to keep their spirits up.

I was impressed by the workmen and by the DWP people who came at 1 a.m. to board up a heavily damaged neighbor’s house and to check the cracks in the street respectively. I was impressed by the people running our local In-N-Out Burger who managed to cheerfully open in a heavily damaged area without power with the help of a generator. And I was impressed by the patient and sympathetic building inspectors who came by on a Sunday morning. I am not ready for “the Big One” but I’d rather experience it here than anywhere else.

HELMUT VOSS

Los Angeles

* I relocated my family to Los Angeles three weeks ago. It was a decision I had serious doubts about early on Jan. 17.

I have been nothing but impressed by the response of local and state government, business and civic leaders and residents of our newly adopted home. After a few days of sheepishly admitting that I had moved to the Los Angeles area, I now announce it with some pride.

Nature and mankind have taken several mighty swings at Los Angeles. Things looked very bad in the opening rounds. I watched the riots on CNN from my safe haven in Hong Kong and sneered at this troubled American city clearly in decline.

Still in Hong Kong, but preparing to move, I watched the city and those surrounding it deal with killer fires. I sensed a change. Nature was a powerful opponent, but one whose challenge could be met. I saw things working, despite the pain.

I have lived the region’s pain since Jan. 17--and I have increasingly sensed its pride. I have seen a community come together. I have seen real leadership from Mayor Riordan, true professionalism and dedication from police, fire, public works, gas, electric and transportation officials and workers, and honest corporate citizenship in the generous donations of the area’s business community.

I also have learned the strengths of the city and its residents. Those strengths are the reason people, and businesses, stay here. As the new guy on the block I say: “Well done, Los Angeles! I’m proud to be part of your extended family.” And, I offer my hand to help.

TOM MATTIA

Los Angeles

* Let’s stop perpetuating the myth of this natural phenomenon being the wrath of Mother Nature toward the sinners of La-La Land. The fault-riddled earth under Southern California would have shaken whether we were here or not.

The latest FEMA public service announcement being aired refers to our once again having been subjected to “nature’s fury.” Do we really need this guilt complex on top of everything else?

Here’s my bumper sticker: “Earthquakes Don’t Kill People, Man-Made Objects Do.”

F. NANCY LLOYD

Fullerton

* While the earthquake is truly tragic, let’s keep things in proper perspective.

We murder more people in Los Angeles County in one month than are killed in natural disasters in one year. Crime is still public enemy No. 1--not Mother Nature.

JOHN N. MERRILL

Rancho Palos Verdes