Caltrans Director

Re “Suit Accuses Caltrans Chief of Helping Allies,” Jan. 26:

Did you think that the apple would fall far from the tree? Caltrans Director Jose Medina is a close associate of San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. Brown is also known for his ethics or lack thereof. The job is a patronage job that was filled by Gov. Gray Davis, who was beholden to Brown and Medina for their political support early on in his gubernatorial campaign.

Davis made a poor choice and now he has a chance to correct it. Public safety should have no ties to patronage--after all, Sacramento isn’t Tammany Hall, is it?

STUART PENNINGTON

Chino Hills

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In your Jan. 26 editorial, “Freeway Safety Before Profits,” you correctly pointed out “dangerous weaving across lanes near a tollway entrance.” Why did you not mention this ubiquitous occurrence at all freeway entrances followed immediately by exits and at HOV lane entrances and exits?

It all spells poor design to me.

A. TRUJILLO ESCARENO

Tustin