Skateboarders racing on city streets; waste in L.A. Unified; saving a vine

Board play

Re “Speedboarding hits a snag,” July 25

The pro-”speedboarding” group described in your article needs a better public relations team.

As the group insists their sport is innocuous in The Times piece, their statements are juxtaposed against a photograph of two members traveling the wrong way down a two-lane street with limited visibility.

Of course, one boarder’s confession that “if the cars are going as fast as us, they’re probably speeding” seems to be an outright admission of lawbreaking behavior, no?

Eric Deyerl

Culver City

Answering this question might decide whether or not speedboarding should be allowed: What is the purpose for which roads are built? Are roads for transportation or for racing? Is there really any other question to answer or argument to be made for allowing speedboarding on public streets?

John Snyder

Newbury Park

Textbook case of waste

Re “Cost of missing books adds up,” July 26

Chalking up the waste of $10 million on textbooks to an “inefficient inventory system” is generous.

In the English department where I teach at University High, we are deluged with books we do not ask for, want or need. They are ordered by the district, arrive unexpectedly and are shelved. It would be fine if the mandated texts were appropriate. Sadly, the anthology the district demanded I use for 12th-grade modern literature featured “Beowulf” and ended with Emily Dickinson.

Courses like Scholastic Inc.’s Read 180 cost thousands for a single class set and are used briefly before newer texts appear, at a rate of more than $83 million a year. This is one reason Supt. Ramon C. Cortines’ former contract with Scholastic seems a disturbing conflict of interest.

And this is only about books. Consider the district’s construction projects and its army of consultants and contractors. I do not know the ratio of graft to incompetence, but the answer to “what’s wrong with the schools” is right here, and I hope The Times continues to follow the money.

Brian McClure

Santa Monica

The Times reported that “the Board of Education recently declined to renew the contract of Inspector General Jerry Thornton, in part, district insiders have said, over the embarrassment caused by some audit findings.”

How typical of the school board. Shouldn’t an auditor be independent of the company he is auditing in order to avoid conflict of interest and prevent retaliation?

Richard Raffalow

Valley Glen

On Cortines, from a teacher

Re “The Cortines effect,” July 23

As a 14-year L.A. Unified teacher, I wanted to add to your tribute to Supt. Ramon C. Cortines.

He did not save any teachers’ jobs — we, the teachers of LAUSD, agreed to give up 12 days of our pay to save our fellow teachers.

District mismanagement and waste has improved but still has miles to go. Evidence for this includes the recent estimate that LAUSD has lost $10 million on missing books.

The transfer of Principal Suzanne Blake out of Central Los Angeles High School #9 without cause was a travesty. The students and parents have every right to be appalled at this decision.

Finally, no studies definitively show that charter schools are more effective than public schools. This counters Cortines’ embrace of charter schools in the Public School Choice program.

Ron Bauer

Northridge

The fight over food

Re “In fight over raw foods, choice and safety clash,” July 25

The raid of Rawesome Foods in Venice by officers from multiple local state and federal agencies, with guns drawn, appears excessive. These agencies were granted search warrants because of a permitting violation, not because of any health complaints from members.

Moreover, it seems that this food club satisfied consumer demand and developed a successful business model in the process. One can agree or disagree with the health merits of raw milk, but why penalize the entrepreneurial spirit?

Perhaps public agencies should invest their time, and our money, in areas that affect the majority, rather than an insignificant few. These food clubs present zero threat to those who disagree with their mission. Such people can keep shopping at their preferred supermarkets.

Bill Hory

Manhattan Beach

What makes people think that because they eat, they are viable experts in food safety? I wonder which members of the management or staff of Rawesome Foods were able to produce any documentation of training in food safety, much less a degree in food science.

All we need is one child to suffer a toxic episode from these foods to draw our attention to the dangers associated with eating improperly handled food.

I fear for the safety of people who demand the right to make decisions that ignore proven science.

Barry M. Weinstein

Fullerton

Are guns the answer?

Re “Reluctantly packing heat,” Opinion, July 25

Welcome to the world of sensible, safe and sane gun ownership, Sonia. Thanks for noting we’re not all tattooed skinheads.

I know of no gun owner who relishes the thought of shooting, much less killing, someone with their gun. However, I can’t imagine a more horrible feeling than those few seconds before you realize you or a family member is about to be killed in your own home, with no way of evening the odds. Be safe.

Steven V. Behm

Burbank

We recommend Wolff turn in her guns and get a dog.

Too many people are accidently killed or injured every day with guns. Having a gun in the house provides a false sense of security. If you leave it loaded and easily accessible, it’s a serious accident waiting to happen. If it is not loaded or is locked away, it is useless. Will you plan to take your pistol into the shower with you for protection?

A dog is a better and safer option. It doesn’t have to be terribly big or fierce, just territorial. Few burglars will chance entering a home with a barking dog. Deterrence is better than defense.

We urge Wolff to adopt a homeless dog or two. She will get protection and love instead of danger and fear.

Eric and Ann Brooks

Los Angeles

Two engines are better than one

Re “All the jet we can afford,” Editorial, July 22

The Defense Department has rated the GE Rolls-Royce F136 engine’s performance as “exceptional” seven times.

The Times’ suggestion that the government cut the engine competition for the Joint Strike Fighter program means endorsing a sole-source engine monopoly for Pratt & Whitney.

According to the independent Government Accountability Office, Pratt & Whitney’s engine already faces $2.5 billion in cost overruns, and the price of its production engines is more than 40% over the original estimate.

On the other hand, the GAO estimates that maintaining competition would save taxpayers $20 billion over the life of the program.

We agree that federal spending must be controlled, but eliminating competition would be irresponsible.

George McLaren

Indianapolis

The writer is communications director, GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team.

BP could learn something

Re “Saving the great Mother Vine,” Column One, July 26

The concern and compassion displayed by Chuck Penn, the representative for Dominion Virginia Power, was very refreshing. He and his company accepted full responsibility for an accident that threatened the survival of the 400-year-old Mother Vine in North Carolina. The vine is believed to be the nation’s oldest cultivated grapevine.

Albeit not on the same scale, imagine if BP and its chief executive, Tony Hayward, had taken the same stance regarding the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

A different attitude may not have decreased the amount of oil spilled or the detrimental effect on wildlife. But it most likely would have lessened the toll taken on the hearts all humans concerned with the catastrophe.

Wes Correll

Trabuco Canyon