Preserve Watts Towers

Re “Grab This Getty Offer,” editorial, July 2: It was not long ago when guests from out-of-town wanted to visit the Watts Towers. Upon our arrival, we were shocked: The decay is clearly visible even to the untrained observer, and there was the rotting carcass of a dog at the base of the towers.

The Getty should do more than give advice; it should rescue this landmark from the city. We owe it to the genius of Simon Rodia and to posterity to save this underappreciated treasure. It seems the plight of the towers is symbolic of the problems facing much of South Los Angeles. The community has been ignored for too long. It needs massive public and private investment and job creation. Only then will the community itself be able to support its treasured towers.

John Fer

San Pedro