Too much power on the council

Re “Eviction of nonprofit blocked,” Sept. 25

The whole situation between City Councilman Bernard C. Parks and Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education raises the simple question: Why should a councilman in Los Angeles be able to unilaterally wield such vast power in his district?

All Parks had to do was wiggle his finger and a well-respected nonprofit in a city-owned building was sent an eviction notice, without any due process or chance for community input. In the same vein, stretches of major arteries, such as Wilshire Boulevard, can be closed for commercial events (so-called carnivals) at the whim of a councilman. This is an arbitrary exercise of power.

These practices deserve scrutiny -- are we electing officials or mini-dictators?

Dana Gabbard

Los Angeles