Riordan-Hayden Race for Mayor

Re “Perspectives on the Mayor’s Race,” Commentary, April 2: Where does Mayor Richard Riordan get his rose-colored glasses? I’d like to pick up a pair. He boasts of his many accomplishments, such as a “safer” Los Angeles and more “confidence” from Angelenos. What about the gang infestation that is growing every day, the schools that are falling down around the children, the traffic that is so congested, not to mention drivers harboring a lot more hostility than ever before?

Living in fear and being frightened is a way of life in L.A. We have all become complacent and settle for the status quo. Not good enough, Dick! Los Angeles is a wonderful city, but it is time to take back our city from the criminals and stop the crime and violence now, not when it’s politically correct and an election year.

FRANCES TERRELL LIPPMAN

Los Angeles

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* Articles such as “Riordan Leads Hayden as L.A. Racial Divide Grows” (March 30) contribute to the racial problems of our city. Until I read it, I did not know that my race is different from others in its mayoral preferences, or that mayoral preference is a racial issue. Your article has given racial bigots another reason to feel the way they do.

SHELDON C. SHALLON

Los Angeles

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* After reading Jodi Wilgoren’s interview with William McCarley (Opinion, March 30), I have one question to ask the man: “Would you please, please run for mayor?”

KATHARINA SMITH

Canoga Park

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* Tom Hayden made good sense in his accusations against Riordan (Commentary, March 28). More self-serving than public servant, Mayor Riordan, like Michael Milken, thrives on the misguided American perception of personal wealth equating to political wisdom.

However, Hayden, as our absentee senator, might not be the best candidate for mayor either. How about no mayor then? Los Angeles could become the first major city in America to dissolve this redundant political office. After all, we get along fine without pro football.

DOUGLAS HERMAN

Santa Monica

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* I am one Democrat who enthusiastically supports Riordan for a second term as our mayor. Hayden should apologize to all decent Americans for his violent extremism in the ‘60s, rather than rationalize his actions. Most political observers agree that Hayden and his “Chicago Seven” buddies mortally wounded the Democratic candidacy of one of the most decent human beings ever to run for president--Sen. Hubert Humphrey. Humphrey was never able to recover from the wounds inflicted upon him and narrowly lost the election to Richard Nixon.

Now, again, Hayden is attempting to defeat a decent human being who has donated over $20 million dollars to charitable causes. During the last four years Mayor Riordan had been able to turn Los Angeles around. My No. 1 concern is crime in L.A., which has decreased during the Riordan years. Riordan has increased our police force with more than 2,000 officers and personally, with friends, financed the computerization of the police department. Democrats should join with me in supporting Riordan.

ANDREW FRIEDMAN

Los Angeles

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* Hayden’s campaign theme refers to him as a man of vision. One recent proof of this lies in the Lyndon Johnson tapes just released (Column Left, by Robert Scheer, March 25), during which Johnson decided in 1964 to “launch his nation on one of its most disastrous military adventures (Vietnam) without believing it had any worthwhile purpose or possible favorable outcome.”

Meantime, a young student, Hayden, had the vision to know the war was wrong and to protest it, being beaten and arrested. Isn’t it time we accept the fact that he is a man of vision and give him an opportunity to apply that vision to making Los Angeles a livable city for all, not just for the Riordan rich?

VIRGINIA M. DONOHUE

Los Angeles

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* Re Bill Boyarsky’s The Spin, March 27: Caricaturist Robbie Conal argues the mayor isn’t interested in “taking care of people in the neighborhoods,” so I guess that’s why he and his “band of volunteer assistants” feel it’s OK to plaster his political posters around Los Angeles. It’s a deed he’s been practicing since 1986!

If Conal had any real interest in the neighborhoods, he’d get out and start cleaning up the mess he’s created around town with his posters left on street signs, corner traffic control boxes, office buildings, you name it. He and his volunteers obviously don’t care about the blight they leave behind.

JAMES K. ANDERSON

Benedict Canyon