710 Freeway Extension

* Re “Pasadena Rescinds Longtime Backing of 710 Freeway Plan,” April 26: The working man loses again! Anyone commuting between Cal State L.A. and Pasadena environs will tell you that the 710 extension is a much-needed improvement to the existing freeway system. Parochial thinking by elected representatives has destroyed the project. Justified road rage while awaiting the timing of signals and being stuck in polluting traffic really harms the quality of life for those commuters.

Flip-flopping elected representatives should be replaced with those who can more effectively represent the needs of the people.

TOM JOYCE

Pasadena

* The solution for traffic woes in Pasadena and throughout L.A. is not to build more freeways but to make comprehensive the subway system already begun. It costs an individual thousands of dollars per year to own, insure and maintain a car. If taxpayers would give to the city what it costs to keep their cars for one month, we could have an efficient, 24-hour subway with stops in every community in L.A.

Just think: more money in our pockets, less pollution, less time to commute and higher property values. Owning a car could become a luxury rather than a necessity. Elected officials need to stop pandering to neighborhood interest groups and get the ball rolling.

GREG STANTON

Los Angeles