Subway Foes Can’t Just ‘Move On’

In your original editorial on Valley transit you supported the subway route with the caveat that there be appropriate cautions taken to make sure the tunneling would not be a problem as it has been in Hollywood. I understand that your support was based on the need to have an alternative transportation infrastructure in the event of an earthquake, conditioned upon compassion for the local neighborhood on the safety aspects of construction and operation.

In your most recent editorial (Oct. 30) you now say that the subway, as approved by MTA, is the way to go and local homeowners who have concerns should just “move on.” You have essentially decided to support a subway as proposed by its political champions. It would involve an open trench and other cost-cutting features that would go against 1990 state law as it pertains to the East Valley. This is because Mayor Richard Riordan, in his motion for subway approval to MTA, asked for cost-cutting measures such as these. Although his support for the subway is well-founded, his motion for cost-cutting measures was against state law and showed a disrespect to East Valley residents who were guaranteed a more costly but safe and sound transit system.

Hardly any of the MTA members live in or represent our neighborhood. It is so tempting for them to approve a low-cost, dangerous subway quickly so it can compete successfully for scarce federal funds.

Riordan, the doyen of L.A. politics in the 1990s, does not represent the East Valley. For the next seven months, the 5th District of the City Council (which includes part of the East Valley) will have no representative. Your newspaper should not let MTA conspire against state law and East Valley residents who are guaranteed an underground subway without neighborhood disturbance. Please understand that we do not want the MTA to shortchange us.

As a longtime resident, I cannot “move on” as you suggest. I have some responsibility to my neighborhood and to seeing that the East Valley is treated with the same respect as other regions of Los Angeles. At the very least, I have the duty to make sure the MTA obeys state law.

MICKEY JANNOL

Van Nuys