Leases Extended in Marina del Rey

* We who have been the most critical of the county’s dealings with Marina del Rey leases must take issue with The Times’ Jan. 7 editorial, “Appearances Matter,” regarding recently approved lease extensions. An independent appraisal by two state-certified appraisers concluded that the financial return to the county is equivalent to, or greater than, fair market value. The final vote was duly scheduled for action and noticed publicly in full compliance with the state’s open-meetings laws. Relevant documents were freely available for public inspection in advance of the vote. The Board of Supervisors has no separate “consent calendar” onto which this item was slipped, nor was there was any effort to “keep this deal quiet.” All items are placed on a single agenda and may be held for discussion and debate prior to a vote. Only if no member of the board or public holds an item will it be approved without discussion.

During a year-and-a-half period, this lease extension has never been seriously challenged, even by the marina’s most ardent critics. That is because the county and the board have strictly adhered to a new policy that calls for a rigorous review and property appraisal for all proposed lease awards, amendments, transfers and extensions.

GLORIA MOLINA, Chair

ZEV YAROSLAVSKY

L.A. County Board of Supervisors

* Many people, including myself, recognize that Supervisor Don Knabe, the director of the Department of Beaches and Harbors and the Small Craft Harbor Commission long ago lost interest in listening to their constituents at public hearings, while allowing themselves to be mesmerized by developers and tales of movie theaters, high-rise luxury apartments and a hotel, which is proposed to be built on the last remaining open space on which a park could be located. With the luxury high-rise they propose a tiny park. Each of the projects proposed is in direct violation of the California Coastal Act, yet they approve the developments in the hope the commission will perhaps allow them to proceed.

The marina is for all citizens, not just those fortunate enough to afford large yachts and expensive apartments. Instead of allowing more traffic and air and water pollution, we should attempt to reduce these problems. An interpretive center to educate the children of this city would be more in line with the public interest.

JOHN DAVIS

Venice