Resignations of Nine Air Quality Advisors

* Re “9 AQMD Advisors Quit in Protest of New Smog Plan,” Aug. 9 and “AQMD Deeply Divided Over Resignations,” Aug. 10: Charges and countercharges. On one side a few scientists, economists and health experts willing to sacrifice their jobs to tell us that the AQMD’s plan to fight air pollution is an industry sellout. On the other side, a few Republican politicians and representatives of high-polluting industries that say the hell with them, the plan’s fine. Boy, who to believe?

By the way, why is Supervisor Mike Antonovich even on the AQMD? Shouldn’t membership on a board that’s supposed to protect air quality require having at least the smallest interest in doing so?

VICTOR FRESCO

Venice

* Good regulations begin with good counsel. This mass exodus is one of the most positive signals that the Los Angeles region is headed toward true economic recovery. Clean air is an economic quality that we must not compromise. What is needed is a core group of advisors and leaders who are willing to use reason, not emotion, in determining the policies on such an important issue.

This revolt gives testimony to the philosophy of those who have been the core of the AQMD policymaking machine--all or nothing! Zealots come in all shapes and sizes. These nine advisors just happen to interpret science with a zeal that has altered the balance of our local economy. Industrial exodus and unemployment are their legacy. Hopefully, the new advisory panel members will have the courage to find common ground that tackles our pollution problems in a more proactive and constructive manner than this media temper tantrum. We all have a stake in improving our air quality, especially manu- facturers!

DAVID GOODREAU, Chairman

Small Manufacturers Assn.

Glendale

* The people of Southern California are in serious trouble when the advisory board to the AQMD quits en masse. It is clear that the current AQMD and board chairman Jon Mikels have reached the end of their usefulness as air quality watchdogs. It is now time to replace the AQMD board with individuals who are serious about air quality in Southern California.

The future health costs to each and every citizen who must breathe polluted air are not worth the short-term business profits the current AQMD is trying to protect. It is time for a new AQMD to be appointed. Hopefully the valuable and important advisory board will return to work with a new board.

TERRI MITCHELL

Los Angeles