PUBLIC FORUM : TRAPPING COYOTES.

I was thrilled to see the go ahead for coyote trap setting in the Northridge and Woodland Hills areas. These coyotes are a danger and a menace to the Valley and Santa Clarita areas.

I live in Castaic in a very residential area. We have 6-foot fences all around our property. Our pet dog Pepper, of 18 years, only goes outside to do her duty. A week ago, she went out on the patio, didn't even make it to the grass and up over the fence came a coyote, had her by the throat and was climbing back over the fence. My husband ran to pull the coyote's leg and Pepper was released. He scooped her up and ran for the door with the blood trailing behind. We had lost our little Pepper. She grew up with our son and daughter and gave us many years of happiness. She didn't deserve to go like that.

The activists preach, ``keep your pets in and secure your trash.'' We do this and still the coyote took her life. I fear for the young children who play after dark in our cul-de-sac. The coyotes are not choosy. Our human babies will be next.

- Betty Checketts

Castaic

This land is their land

Re ``Coyote traps set in valley'' (Daily News, Sept. 4):

On 100,000 fronts, the boundaries of nature are pushed back by an ever growing and ravenous human population. Not surprisingly, the good people then complain when they find wild creatures, desperate for food and water, sharing ``our space'' which was, until recently, their space.

Petitions are signed to trap and euthanize coyotes and lackey politicians cave in. Of course, that is the democratic process at work. However, it was a realization of our nation's founders, which is largely forgotten today: A democracy of the arrogant, the selfish, and the shortsighted may, indeed, be the worst form of government.

I expect those petition signers might also say, ``Green house gases? Global warming? That's highly theoretical. Right now I've got to fuel up my SUV.''

- Don Malvin

Canoga Park

Live with them

Those who support the capture and killing of coyotes who share our land in the Valley, seem to be acting more like savage beasts than the coyote. I am outraged and disgusted by such un-Christianlike actions in my community. Where can I sign a petition against this action? One of the greatest joys of living here is that critters like coyotes, raccoons, possums, hawks and owls, even the rare mountain lion, still can live with us in peace. We harm them much more than they harm us.

- Tom Agostino

Woodland Hills

Wright's athletic bill

Your recent editorial ``Fair Play,'' Aug. 29, regarding state Sen. Cathie Wright's legislation (SB 338) to require the California State University and other public higher education institutions to provide one year's notice before discontinuing intercollegiate athletic programs needs clarifying.

The editorial blamed Assemblyman Jack Scott for the bill's failure to pass in the Assembly Higher Education Committee; however, members of both political parties raised concerns during the hearing. As CSU Chancellor, I take full responsibility for the university's position at the hearing. Scott is an outstanding member of the Legislature and an experienced school leader.

The CSU strongly agrees that notice should be given when an athletic program is discontinued. However, having to provide a year's notice would likely result in the discontinuation of more programs because university budget processes do not provide the luxury of a full year's notice when a fiscal problem arises.

The CSU offered as an alternative a system whereby no athletic program could be discontinued until a campus advisory group of students, coaches, and members of the campus community convened and explored means by which private funds could be raised to continue the program.

Athletic programs play an integral role in the fabric of the university and the image of the community. Unfortunately, financial considerations play a deciding role in determining whether a particular athletic program can continue.

- Charles B. Reed 

Chancellor

California State University

More harm than help

Re: ``Fair Play'' (Editorial, Aug. 29):

Your editorial labeled opposition to SB 338, which would have required colleges and universities to provide one year's notice before an intercollegiate athletic program could be discontinued, as ``preposterous'' and ``bunk''.

It was out of a concern for college sports that I and many other legislators - from both parties - raised concerns about the harmful impact that this legislation would have.

As former president of two colleges, I am a strong supporter of college athletics. Football, soccer, basketball, and the many of other athletic programs in college attract students, community support, and generate revenue.

SB 338 could hurt - not help - college athletics. SB 338 would encourage colleges to prematurely eliminate teams. Finances are the main reason that athletic programs are discontinued. It is often well into the sports season before the team's financial picture is available. With the one-year notice required in SB 338, colleges would be more likely to announce a team elimination even though a solution might be found later.

This bill also would give athletic programs priority over academic programs. Fiscal difficulties or a lack of student interest can necessitate that academic and vocational programs be eliminated without a full year's notice. To give athletic programs special priority over academic programs sends the wrong message to both students and faculty, and will create resentment in the college community.

- Assemblyman Jack Scott

Pasadena

School vouchers

Texas Gov. George Bush wants to let parents of students at poor-performing schools have vouchers. ``Bush for vouchers'' (Sept. 3). Why not let the public schools pick which students will get the vouchers?

- James Burr

Tujunga

Not your water

My question to the executive heads of the Department of Water and Power is: Why do you feel that you have the authority to devastate communities by stealing their water?

You siphoned dry Mono Lake. Many years ago, you gave the shaft to Salton Sea. You made a dust bowl in the area around Lone Pine, Calif., called Owen Valley Dry Lake. The farmers will be left high and dry by your pumping water out of the aquifer.

Now you want to buy water from the Colorado River from the Indian tribes. This water is not for you to steal to supply the city of Los Angeles. This water belongs to the people that live along the Colorado River. Now, you want to siphon all the water and leave the small towns drought-stricken for your benefit.

It is time for the city of Los Angeles to build desalinating plants near the river beds that flow into the ocean.

- Joseph Yore

Palmdale

Doesn't make sense

I'm confused. I watched the chase on television Monday of the van full of illegal immigrants. I watched them pursue the suspects on foot and put them in handcuffs. Yet, if these illegals should make it to L.A., they can enroll their children in our schools, get welfare and food stamps and have free medical services. I just don't get it.

- Sandra Derington

North Hollywood

Safer countries

Re ``Other Freedoms'' (Public Forum, Sept. 1).

As I read the letter, I felt I had to answer the writer's question about safer streets in foreign countries as compared to the USA.

In foreign countries, if a criminal is sentenced to 18 years in prison, he serves 18 years. Not seven years, or nine years, or probation.

- L.E. Miller

Burbank

Protecting society

Florida legislators are now reconsidering the use of the electric chair because of the harm it causes to convicted murders. I don't understand what all the controversy is about. At the issue is Allen Davis, who suffered a nosebleed during his recent execution for murdering three innocent people - a pregnant woman and her two daughters - during a robbery.

Our concern should not be focused on how we can make a convicted murderer's death more pleasant, but how society can be protected from him. Whether one is for or against capital punishment, one fact remains undisputed: No criminal who has been executed has ever endangered society again. The same can not be said for paroled criminals. As far as I am concerned, protecting society, not revenge, is the purpose of capital punishment.

Davis, having suffered a nosebleed during his execution, suffered far less than his three victims. If execution by electric chair is as gruesome as some legislators believe it is, then perhaps some youthful offenders who are following the same path as Davis should be allowed to view it.

- Tony Nathanson

Encino

Not Newt

I am very puzzled by the letter ``Newt's turn'' (Public Forum, Aug. 26). While I don't condone what Newt Gingrich is accused of doing, I have yet to hear of Newt being accused of lying under oath, being found guilty of perjury and, most importantly, having any sort of sexual activity in the White House. Which is ``Our House'' and belongs to we, the people.

- Jack Shaw

Harbor City

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Photo

Photo: Don Gordon sets a coyote trap in the front yard of his Northridge home, as Randy DiSimone, left and Marilyn Barton converse.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer