Where, Oh, Where Is the L.A. Mayor?

Patt Morrison articulated my thoughts of the last few days regarding Mayor James Hahn (“In Troubled Times, Hahn Has Barely Registered as Leader,” Oct. 10). After reading Hahn’s statement that his No. 1 priority is to keep the Valley from seceding (Oct. 9), I became concerned about his ability to lead the city during the war on terrorism. Although my husband and I do not live in Los Angeles, our children live there and we live in Los Angeles County. As many others, we feel that whatever affects Los Angeles affects us too.

It sometimes seems that our elected leaders have addressed only the security of LAX. We residents need to hear from our leaders regarding how our lives will be affected in the event of a terrorist attack (any kind). What steps are being taken (if any) to handle emergencies caused by terrorists?

After listening to the mayors of New York City and Baltimore and others it seems as if California’s politicians and leaders are, indeed, the lightweight thinkers as perceived by the rest of the nation.

Victoria Beanum

Cerritos

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Re “Few Raves for Hahn’s 1st 100 Days,” Oct. 8: Hahn’s concern about the quality of city services is well placed. A responsive government in touch with its varied communities in a relationship of mutual engagement is a worthy vision, one that requires energetic leadership. Hahn, however, will be ill-served if he does not quickly recognize that part of the problem with our city government lies with some of the general managers whose support he is enlisting.

Eight years of former Mayor Richard Riordan’s administration has taken its toll on civic management. Rather than energizing departments and improving city services, some of these appointees drove out qualified, knowledgeable administrators, replacing them with novices unfamiliar with how things really work.

Hahn is well qualified to assess the performance of the general managers in building departments that capitalize on the creativity and responsiveness of their employees. Making sure that the right leadership is in place in the departments will go a long way to addressing problems in housing, economic development, transporta-tion, etc. Failure to do so will ensure the continued decline of not only services but the quality of public service in Los Angeles itself.

Frank Albers

Seal Beach