Historic House Falls to Developer

Re “Last House in Bunker Hill Razed,” April 23: If a young man was caught spraying graffiti on a house, prosecutors would file charges against him and he would face jail and/or a fine. On Bunker Hill, developer G.H. Palmer Associates didn’t merely deface a dwelling, it demolished the last remaining Queen Anne-style house without obtaining the requisite city permits to clear the way for its development. This appears to be a deliberate act to enrich itself. Corporate arrogance and misconduct should be punished just as a wrongdoing individual would be punished. Is there a government agency that has the courage to do so? If it can be done, I would think a fine of $2 million would send the proper message to G.H. Palmer and other corporate entities that don’t respect our heritage. And the city could earmark the money to restore other historic sites.

Alan H. Simon

Sherman Oaks

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What is it about our culture that does not care for the past? Though Los Angeles’ history is relatively recent, that alone does not explain the wanton act of destruction by G.H. Palmer on Bunker Hill. There is no excuse for deliberately destroying something while others are working on preservation. One does not have to travel to the Middle East to experience “shock and awe.” It lives right here in Los Angeles.

Rodney Kemerer

Beverly Hills