On redevelopment agencies; a state budget deal; and China’s massive water project.

Not wheeler-dealers

Re “Arrested redevelopment: Affordable housing gets short shrift,” Oct. 3

Kudos for another insightful and troubling investigation.

The corruption of those involved in the article is enough to make you sick to your stomach, when you think of the money lost and the lack of accountability.

Many city officials apparently think they are wheeler-dealers who can pull together complex projects, when in fact they are dilettantes.

If they were really competent at such deals, they would be in the private sector. Instead, they flail around using taxpayers’ money on their schemes.

Douglas Newlin
Apple Valley, Calif.

Your recent articles about redevelopment agencies focused on a few bad apples at the expense of the many cities that have used such agencies to transform neighborhoods, jumpstart economic activity and build affordable housing.

Redevelopment dollars can be, and generally are, invested wisely, yielding substantial community benefits. I know firsthand of dozens of examples, including here in Hayward.

Though I agree that some reform is justified, I think you presented a far too lopsided view. Redevelopment agency funding is the most important investment tool that localities have to create affordable housing, revitalize neighborhoods and create jobs.

Jesus Armas
Hayward
The writer is a former Hayward city manager.

See, the system isn’t broken

Re “State leaders reach budget deal,” Oct. 2

While still waiting for the details on the budget, isn’t it amazing how our governor and legislative leaders can come together and meet that two-thirds voting requirement when forced to do so?

This requirement forces our legislators to make tough decisions regarding the state’s spending, revenue and taxes. I doubt they would have the same resolve, or produce the same results, with a simple majority requirement.

Patrick Lewandowski
Valencia

Rethinking Afghanistan

Re “On Afghanistan it’s exit-only,” Opinion, Oct. 3

I agree with Doyle McManus that “what [President Obama] wants, above all, is to get out.” But why wait until next July?

We could follow the Iraq approach: Provide advisory services and get our fighting troops out now.

This would save soldiers’ lives, the cost of the war and damage to villagers in the south, southwest and eastern Afghanistan who are not insurgents.

Ostensibly there is no victory or defeat in Afghanistan, but there is enormous cost in lives and wealth.

Nake M. Kamrany
Pacific Palisades

Imagine you were a gung-ho Marine getting ready to go overseas and risk your life and your commander in chief said to you: “Men, Al Qaeda and the Taliban threaten our security. The Afghan war, therefore, is a war of necessity and a war we must win. But, gosh, if you aren’t succeeding after 18 months, it’ll start to look like another Vietnam, so I’m sorry but I will have to pull you out of there no matter whether you’re winning or losing. Good luck.”

What would be your impression of such a commander in chief?

Carl Moore
Lomita

Suicide and the lack of civility

Re “Student’s suicide may be ruled a hate crime,” Oct. 1, and “University holds vigil for student,” Oct. 4

I am absolutely devastated by the suicide of Tyler Clementi, seemingly pushed to that act after an Internet video was posted by two fellow students.

Rutgers University was quick to announce that it had launched a “two-year dialogue on civility.”

Why do college students need seminars on civility? It’s because the role models in our country are prime examples of incivility. We have forgotten how to carry on a dialogue with each other on any matter without name-calling and vituperation. Some of the blame for this rests on the shoulders of talk radio and TV commentators who foment just this kind of behavior.

We must treasure our freedom of speech, but somehow we must return to debate without emotion — for our sakes and for the sake of our children and our grandchildren.

Sheila Alperstein
Woodland Hills

The Rutgers student’s suicide ranks as one of the most mean-spirited events of all time. Streaming a sexual encounter online isn’t a prank; it’s mean and was meant to embarrass the young man who later jumped to his death from a bridge.

You have to wonder how any college student wouldn’t know that it wouldn’t be a laughing matter for this student.

Robert Friedenberg
Newport Beach

Not just a walk in the park

Re “Out of the wilderness,” Oct. 1, and “Hiker’s condition upgraded,” Oct. 2

I would not refer to this man as an “experienced hiker.” He may hike often, but no truly experienced hiker goes out alone, especially when the temperatures are very high.

Also, as clever as he was to use his hat as a writing pad, what about carrying a topographical map of the area on which he could have written?

Don Fisher
Claremont

Hiking in the desert can be confusing, but this near-tragedy could have been avoided.

Always let people know where you are going and when you will be back. Always look behind you regularly as you hike and pay particular attention to large landmarks so you can recognize where you have been and, if necessary, retrace your steps. Take a good topographical map and compass and keep track of where you are. Know how to build a safe fire to signal for help at night and to make smoke signals during the day. Finally, take a portable GPS if you can.

Paul Sailer
Los Angeles
The writer is the former chairman of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Taking a cue from China

Re “Beijing’s answer to thirst? Move rivers,” Sept. 29

I have long advocated a similar plan for the U.S.

Much of the Midwest and East, especially areas near major rivers, are flooded after heavy rains. At certain times, they have too much water, which causes billions of dollars worth of damage.

Meanwhile, the Southwest desperately needs water.

Americans need jobs. The government needs a “big idea” to pull the country together economically as well as politically.

We should build a massive system of canals, aqueducts, pumping stations and reservoirs, as well as using existing river systems and lakes, to siphon off excess water, especially during flood season, and transporting it to drier states.

This massive public-works project would have the same positive effects that gearing up war manufacturing during World War II and the interstate highway system had on this country.

Mark Johnson
Vista

As I read this article, I couldn’t help feeling a little confused. According to the story, “re-plumbing” an entire region, destroying lives and damaging the environment to supply an overpopulated desert city is “a project of enormous hubris.”

Even a student like myself can see the hypocrisy. Is Southern California, fed by lengthy aqueducts with water rerouted from hundreds of miles away, so different from Beijing?

Thomas King
San Diego