Under new management

Re “Times’ owner casts its lot with real estate magnate,” April 3

With the sale of The Times to Chicago-based tycoon Sam Zell, it is no longer fair or appropriate for Angelenos to gripe about “foreigners” controlling their local paper. In the end, the bid of local businessmen Eli Broad and Ron Burkle was simply too little and too late. Zell won fair and square. Rather than dwell on the loss, we as a community need to do what we do best here in L.A. -- co-opt the invaders. It is in this spirit of subversive unity that I (humbly) suggest to Zell that he consider renaming Chicago’s (much-beloved) hometown paper to better reflect his interests: “The Chicago Tribune of Los Angeles.” It has a nice ring to it. Beware, Sam. The Los Angeles Times will rise again.

MICHAEL BRUCE ABELSON

Pasadena

*

Terribly unfortunate that Chicago, in keeping with its bottom-feeding approach to journalism and Los Angeles, chose Zell. What a shameful demise from the golden years of the Chandlers and many other shepherds of greatness, such as former editorial cartoonist Paul Conrad and former Editor John Carroll. Given the shady financing for this deal -- a meager $315 million cash upfront plus the excessive debt placed on the backs of employees’ retirement, a good tabloid headline is appropriate: “Trailer park magnate pays peanuts for L.A. news jewels.”

A very sad day for the literate, cultured and worldly people of Los Angeles.

SANDY B. WETMORE

Manhattan Beach

*

I had hoped to see The Times returned to local ownership. A newspaper with a real stake in its community is a better newspaper. Let us hope that in the near future, for whatever reason, Zell will sell The Times to people with a stake in this community.

PAUL EDWARDS

Pine Mountain, Calif.

*

I just finished reading all of the articles about Zell’s new position. I have a plea to the new owner. Almost all of the people I know who still subscribe to this paper have one common complaint or concern: The paper has a totally biased editorial stance. As the new owner, please try to bring a balanced viewpoint to an audience pleading for equal treatment in all things political, religious and international. I think the increase in readership and advertising will make it profitable as well.

SKIP BOWLING

Studio City