Compton

* Your Sept. 11 article (“Compton Braces for Rep. Tucker’s Extortion Trial”) gives a distorted view of this city of over 91,000 people. Employing such words as beleaguered , failure and disaster , you wrote as though political controversy, economic uncertainty and academic decline are unique to Compton.

Our citizens are indeed concerned about criminal charges that have been brought against a former mayor and city councilperson; but Comptonites realize that this is the exception, not to rule. Since 1920 at least 137 people have been elected to public office in this city. Records reflect that only two sitting officials have ever been indicted.

Secondly, Compton has experienced its share of economic problems. Nevertheless, most recently the city has enjoyed a $60-million growth in new commercial and housing construction; Compton’s redevelopment project area has had a 24.4% growth in assessed valuation, in stark contrast to declining valuations elsewhere. Furthermore, Compton has been ranked fifth in the state and second in Los Angeles County, among cities having the most favorable environment for starting and expanding businesses.

Finally, Compton is certainly not the only city which has experienced a decline in the quality of its educational system. Many other school districts throughout the state have recorded low academic performance by their students.

The real story of Compton is that of the outstanding accomplishments of a number of its citizens, many of whom are descended from black Southern emigrants and Mexican peasants.

HOWARD CALDWELL

Compton City Manager