Hats Off to Lottery Chief

* If I wore a hat, I would take it off to William J. Popejoy for working at a job he really doesn’t need (“O.C. Millionaire Takes Chance as Lottery Director,” Dec. 8).

As the newly appointed executive director of the California Lottery, Popejoy appears to be heading in the right direction for making the lottery a viable working entity.

I especially like his idea of trying to channel money to finance college scholarships for deserving students who otherwise would not be able to go.

I also applaud Popejoy with his promise to locate other state jobs for the employees who will eventually lose their jobs due to impending cuts in the lottery office.

BILL SPITALNICK

Newport Beach