Pacheco Conflict With Molina Goes Both Ways

In “L.A. Latinos’ Political Feud Marks Generational Divide” (Nov. 27) you write, of my relationship with Supervisor Gloria Molina, that “those close to Molina call the situation a ‘one-way feud.’ ” This cannot be further from the truth. Molina did not support my bid for City Council. After I joined the City Council, she opposed my effort to legalize the vendors at El Mercado and end that 20-year dispute in the community. Today, the vendors enjoy permanent puestos [stalls] with all proper permits.

Molina did not support my effort to include a pedestrian bridge at the new county hospital or to include local hiring during its construction in Boyle Heights. She also tried to raid the MTA housing funds for Boyle Heights and spend those funds in unincorporated East Los Angeles. Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg and I protected those funds in committee and the council kept the promise made to Boyle Heights. In the end, the strained relationship between Molina and me has more to do with my representation of my constituents than with personal histories.

Nick Pacheco

L.A. City Councilman

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I thought Pacheco ran against the Alatorre machine with a promise to open up politics in the Latino community. Instead it appears he wants to create his own machine and settle some old scores. Public service is not an entitlement. The Latino community deserves to have leaders who are open to competition and able to debate issues on the merits. The politics of the machine stifle debate and turn people off. Hopefully, Pacheco and Antonio Villaraigosa [who is seeking Pacheco’s seat] can get past the personality contest and immature feelings of resentment and focus on who will best serve L.A.’s 14th District.

Frank Albers

Seal Beach