Whale Mural Not Most Urgent Need

Why not clean up the eyesores in Ventura before spending money on a mural on the freeway (“Ventura Advisory Panel Reacts Warily to Plan to Have Wyland Do Mural,” July 23)?

When northbound cars exit the freeway at Seaward and head to the beach, they are greeted by the shabby, messy northwest corner of Harbor Boulevard. It is a vision of plowed-up rocks and rubble at one end and, at the corner of Pierpont, a heap of fishing nets and assorted parked vehicles.

I often wonder which city department approved this land use and how long it will continue to be less than a “city beautiful” neighbor for the Visitors Bureau Office.

Wyland’s mural proposal is handsome, but I see no eyesore in the concrete wall that was designed by an architect as a piece of functional art and certainly approved by many departments before its construction.

If the mural’s purpose is to advertise Ventura, I saw no mention of the city on its rendition in the paper.

There are many art designers in Ventura who can create very effective and beautiful advertising for the city at much less expense if advertising is your goal.

EUNICE DRELL

Ventura