Readers React: The continuing theft of veterans’ land in West L.A.

To the editor: The front-page article about the negotiation of leases for many of the well-connected tenants who have nothing to do with serving veterans is not a surprise to those of us who have fought the grand theft of the West L.A. veterans’ property for so many years. (“Dog park and other tenants fight to remain on VA land in West L.A.,” March 1)

The tenants’ argument seems to be an extension of the “affluenza” defense: They have had so much for so long that it would harm them to take anything away.

We are supposed to feel sorry for the private Brentwood School, which has paid $26,000 a month to use land surely worth hundreds of millions of dollars in today’s Westside real-estate market? UCLA needs facilities for its athletes in preference to a home for those who served? The Veterans Park Conservancy still wants 10 acres for private lawn parties? Those who use the dog park offer to train disabled veterans in dog walking? That would be funny if it weren’t so insulting.

The final insult, from someone who apparently wants to keep using the sports fields: “Parents are not going to go east of the 405 to watch their kids play ball.” East and west of the 405, veterans are living on the street, and there’s not much ball-playing going on with them.

Sanford D. Cook, San Luis Obispo

The writer is a retired Army lieutenant colonel.

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To the editor: As a veteran and a physician who devoted 29 years to serving disabled veterans, I fully sympathize with those who seek to pressure the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to increase services.

Unfortunately, the well-intentioned efforts to abolish all leases of VA land to outside organizations are based on the false premise that the limiting factor in providing services for homeless vets is not having sufficient space. With 388 acres at the West L.A. VA and another 160 at the Sepulveda VA, the limiting factor has always been funding, not space.

Funds are needed to create new residential units, to renovate dilapidated existing buildings and to provide other direct services to homeless vets.

I suggest the following:

- The VA should commit to the principle that 100% of all proceeds from the leases be devoted to services for homeless vets.

- Instead of abolishing the leases, each should be renegotiated to assure that they are at fair market value.

- An entity independent of the VA should provide oversight to guarantee that the first two provisions are carried out faithfully.

Cyril Barnert, Los Angeles

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