Risks of Belmont School Site

Re “District to Form Panel to Weigh Belmont Fate,” July 21:

The thing that seems to be overlooked in all of the studies and arguments for and against the new Belmont Learning Center is there are already two schools located right in the oil field. The existing Belmont High School had six wells located on its grounds and the Plasencia Elementary School nearby had four wells. Is there a documented increase in health problems among the children who attend these schools, or should they be abandoned also? Has a study been compiled on the illness rates for the Temple-Beaudry area overall, since the field runs under the entire hill and is not confined to just the new complex?

The locations of the main buildings of the complex have no old wells under them; the only oil spill problem at this part of the site was the location of an old gas station that later became a repair garage. The contaminated dirt was removed and replaced.

If these figures were added into the mix, we would get a much better overall picture of the health risk, if any in this area exists.

SCOTT C. BALDRY

La Crescenta

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In the mid-1950s my family lived in the area that is now the infamous Belmont Learning Center site. I can still hear my mom calling out as my brother and I went out to play, “Don’t play in the oil fields, it’s not healthy!” Now, why couldn’t the high-priced scientists and engineers that the school district hired figure that out? My mom could.

ANDRES J. RUIZ

Mission Hills