TAXPAYER FUNDS FOR ARENA

Although The Times recognizes that the city of Los Angeles is a democracy, it bashes Councilman Joel Wachs for proposing to initiate the democratic process regarding the expenditure of taxpayer funds for the proposed sports arena (editorial, Aug. 29). If a citizen has no interest in millionaire athletes and fat-cat developers, he’s empowered by the democratic process to vote against the use of his money for their benefit. Wachs should be applauded for trying to protect the taxpayer. Most of his fellow council members rolled over and played dead for the developers, who at first refused to make public the details of their agreement with the city. Outrageous!

Bulldozing acres of shacks and building a sports arena is probably in the city’s best interest. However, spending tax dollars to acquire and prepare the land is unacceptable unless the city retains title. Then the city should negotiate a land lease agreement which stipulates that the ownership of the improvements, i.e. the arena, reverts to the city at the conclusion of the lease. Anything less is a blatant giveaway that most certainly will encourage the “parochial behavior” that The Times deplores.

JACK BAILEY

Studio City

The Times suggests that Wachs should abandon his initiative, but then you show why he should not do so by declaring, “City officials should be up to the task ahead. If they demonstrate they are not, that’s when voters should flood the polls.”

How much more proof do we need that the City Council is not “up to the task ahead” than their sorry record on the arena deal?

MAX W. STRAUSS

Los Angeles

To the city of Los Angeles:

Let us see--no NFL teams, and you are going to let the Kings and Lakers leave also. That is what is going to happen if you blow this deal! All we will be left with is...oh, yeah. Nothing!

GERALD E. TRUDEAU

Fontana

If the Los Angeles area project is so risk free, why are tax dollars involved at all? Let the “nationally recognized financial institution” (Aug. 28) cover any costs beyond the privately financed construction costs. Or better yet, let the million-dollar players (owners, agents and athletes) pick up the tab.

As a taxpayer I do not believe I am seeing a proper return on my tax dollars now; I certainly do not want to finance an industry (professional sports) that priced my friends and me out of the arenas years ago. We will only support amateur athletics.

LLOYD BERRIMAN

Los Angeles

The proposed sports arena is just like any other business. Buy the property, build the building, sell the product, make a profit and pay the taxes. Los Angeles has enough people to fill 20 facilities a day if they sell the right product at the right price. There should be no investment from the city or taxpayers. They should not have to decide what business builds, operates or succeeds or fails.

AL NISKI

Redondo Beach