Deterioration of District of Columbia

Re your story on the District of Columbia (“How the Capital Has Crumbled,” June 26): I have lived in Washington for nearly five years since coming to work for the federal government. While it is true that practically nothing works right in the district, you overlooked the one D.C. agency that operates magnificently: the parking ticket police.

Yes, it’s true that we in the district pay exorbitantly high taxes for the privilege of calling local agencies which never answer the phone, and scurrying through the streets to avoid being mugged (while sidestepping potholes), but by golly, nobody in this town can park a millimeter beyond the legal limit without getting socked with a pink ticket on the windshield!

And you folks in L.A. think you’re so superior.

MICHAEL GURWITZ

Washington

* I found the piece on Washington very depressing. As one who grew up there, I cannot believe that the city has so deteriorated. This was a great city to live in. With President Franklin Roosevelt’s contagious, spirited encouragement, with the re-creation of the city with new departments and agencies and the construction of new buildings and memorials and housing; with upwardly mobile, talented people moving to the city from all over the country to assume positions in the new job opportunities created by all of this activity in the midst of the deep Depression, there was a dynamic and hopeful enthusiasm and resiliency in the city.

It was a beautiful, clean and safe city. As an 11- and 12-year-old, I often bused downtown to visit one of the government exhibits or go to a movie. Neither I nor my parents had any of the fears that frighten parents today. I also have memories of a positive public school experience. Ultimately, of course, the ‘40s brought the war years and the metamorphosis of the relatively quiet city to the capital of the “‘free world” and, eventually, the awesome strains that have led to its present decline.

It is imperative that the governing authorities resolve the issues that prevent this once proud place from once again assuming its proper position as one of the world’s great capitals.

ARNOLD SILVERMAN

Dana Point

* The decline after home rule was granted in 1975 should be emphasized. Take a group of people who have been receiving federal largess for decades and put them in control of the purse strings: My, how the local government payroll expands even as services disappear.

The D.C. voters elected the country’s premier party-goer as mayor, barely convicted him on drug charges, videotape notwithstanding, and reelected him after he got out of prison. Put the blame where it belongs: On the people who live in D.C. and on folks who think you can “give” people support, an education and a work ethic.

JAMES S. ARMSTRONG JR.

Los Angeles