Riordan Benefit

Thank you for your Oct. 31 article regarding the benefit reception for Mayor Richard Riordan at the Magic Johnson Theatres. However, having read the article I feel there is a definite need to clarify my position and purpose for the event.

Although I had just returned from a prior commitment out of the country and was unable to attend, I was nonetheless completely supportive of it. Riordan has been very supportive of our projects in the past and we see him as a positive person in our community.

I am pleased to offer the theater to the community to facilitate dialogue such as this in an effort to improve relationships between the African American community and its political leaders.

It is important not only for those communities that have supported the mayor to have access to him, but also for those that in the past have not. My hosting a fund-raiser in the Crenshaw community gave Riordan an opportunity to garner support from a constituency that has not always been supportive of him.

In addition, it gave the local business community an opportunity to reach out to the mayor for support of their particular projects.

EARVIN JOHNSON

Beverly Hills