Proposition F

* Re “We need Updated Public Safety Facilities Now,” Sept. 17.

David Fleming has certainly been supportive of the San Fernando Valley public safety and served on the Fire Commission for years. However, his statement that “it would cost the average taxpayer only $2.80 per month” seems to me to be a negative approach to the problem of having our public service become more efficient.

I think that if it is only that amount of money per month, certainly the fire departments would be able to effect the same savings through conservation, careful review of existing programs, current budgets and imaginative solutions to the capital budget shortfall. I do not wish to increase the bonded debt in the city and in the Valley, especially since the possibility of the city of Los Angeles being divided into smaller and more responsive communities is being considered.

I would suggest that there are other ways, such as raising licensing fees for those individuals who wish to have pets to cover the costs involved. Also, the housing of fire stations and / or ambulances could be covered by locating vacant land currently available from the DWP and other city-owned property, fencing it and using less costly portable structures to house the emergency equipment. The staff could be housed in modern office trailers used on construction sites. . . . The cost of these alternatives would be a fraction of the cost of a $532-million bond issue.

ARTHUR SWEET

Chairman, United

Chambers of Commerce

Transportation Committee

Sun Valley