Redevelopment

* Re “Plan to Redevelop Valley Area in Jeopardy,” Nov. 1.

I find Councilman Alex Padilla’s response to the [Community Redevelopment Agency’s] plans a bit ironic. He ran for office on the basis that his youth would offer the district a new vision. Well, I think someone needs to inform the youngster that advocating growth by using public funds that end up in the hands of private developers is as old as the hills. If Padilla is not careful, he’ll end up being an ingredient in the CRA’s bureaucratic soup.

RACQUEL DECIPEDA

Sun Valley

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* As an experienced participant in CRA project area committees, and having attended numerous meetings of the committee discussing the 6,835-acre proposed project, I have seen again that the only public participation desired by CRA is from supporters of CRA appropriation of property taxes, which is the primary if not sole concern of the agency, large corporate developers and those who want the CRA to become another social service agency. Lip service is given to blight and redevelopment, but without specific or enforceable plans and measurable performance.

Vague proposals are presented, but when the taxpaying public got involved, as it did three months ago, started asking questions and sought straightforward answers, the agency ran for cover and canceled the following two scheduled meetings.

The public must get involved to prevent further increase in CRA bond issues that will be draining property tax revenues from the city’s general fund for decades to come.

Redevelopment in Los Angeles is a cancer that is eating away at the financial health of the entire city, and affects every person throughout the city.

GLENN W. HOIBY

North Hollywood