IN RETROSPECT 1988 : VERBATIM

“The worst thing would be a project that has people saying, “Well, it’s nice.”

--Nick Patsaouras, chairman of the blue-ribbon group appointed by Mayor Tom Bradley that selected “Steel Cloud” design.

“It’s apparent to us that a lot of them are now driving around and shooting up neighborhoods just so they can go and kick back and watch the destruction they’ve caused on the 6 o’clock news. It’s now a form of recreation and entertainment for them rather than revenge or something.”

--Charles Norman, field services director for Community Youth Gang Services, on street gang drive-by killers.

“What we’re trying to do is encourage what I would call motorized hiking.”

--Lowell Landowski, land-use analyst for Parks and Recreation Department, defending state-sponsored trail for off-highway vehicles in hills north of Angeles National Forest.

“For two years, we suffered a great deal, and now the Dodgers are back on top. They have to be an influence for everyone in the world. They showed you what you can do if you want something bad enough.”

--Dodger manager Tom Lasorda after the team’s 1988 World Series victory against the favored Oakland Athletics.

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“Looking back, I think the conclusion is inescapable that internal controls insofar as jailhouse informants were concerned have not been what they should have been. And that’s true for at least the past decade.”

--Richard Hecht, director of Los Angeles County district attorney’s branch offices, after it was disclosed that top district attorney officials had rejected a subordinate’s suggestion to create a system to let prosecutors quickly check the reliability of jailhouse informants.

“Frankly, I question the priorities of the CRA when it loaned the Stock Exchange nightclub $1.5 million so yuppies can dance on Spring Street.”

--Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky, referring to L.A.’s Community Redevelopment Agency.

“We have a Tweety and a Shorty. But we don’t have their real names yet.”

--Minneapolis Police Sgt. Harry Baltzer, reporting that 15 Los Angeles street gang members have been arrested in drug raids there.

“You see them sitting there shaving, putting on makeup, combing their hair, talking on those phones, drinking coffee. It would help if they paid attention to the road.”

--Traffic Control Officer Norward Toles on how drivers contribute to traffic jams.