PUBLIC FORUM.

Makes you wonder

Re ``Antonio sees red on delays'' (June 6):

A very specific amount of $22.3 million is established to contract with Republic Electric. Significantly less specific is the vague ``millions of dollars annually'' used to justify this huge contract.

Any study to establish the cost of the contract has included a study of the projected cost savings of light-emitting diodes over incandescent lighting. Why so vague about the savings? Could it possibly be that the savings are actually somewhat less than ``millions?''

Could it possibly be that the $22.3 million dollars may take 30 years to offset with real annual costs?

But then again, Antonio Villaraigosa does chair the committee that awards the contract. Hmmm.

- Patrick Weir

Chatsworth

Somebody's watching

Re ``Smile you're on camera'' (Santa Clarita, June 5):

I hope I am not the only resident who finds this another invasion of privacy and loss of freedom - some of the freedom this country is based on.

When public agencies place surveillance cameras in public or residential areas, it is different from when the owner uses surveillance cameras at his own business or private property to deter theft. I think the residents of Santa Clarita would be better served if the deputies work on community relations and make their presence visible in person, rather than staying in an office watching video of ordinary citizens.

The majority of the citizens of Santa Clarita are law-abiding people who are active in keeping our neighborhoods safe. We don't want to feel we are in a police state, being watched when we take our dog for a walk or go to the neighborhood park.

- Carol Fleming

Saugus

Do your research

``Impeachable offenses'' (Your Opinions, June 2):

E.A. Abruzee's attempt to vilify President George W. Bush might have come off better if he hadn't misstated facts. Abruzee's once-upon-a-time-president, obviously Bill Clinton, was not impeached ``for a stupid sexual indiscretion.'' Clinton was impeached for lying under oath, perjury - a federal felony and a felony in every state.

Inaccuracy, whether intended or not, no matter how important the cause, does not garner credibility. If Abruzee wants to be taken seriously, he should do a little research before making such claims.

- John R. Schlank

Granada Hills

What a bright idea

As I was reading the paper today, I got a bright idea: The Department of Water and Power was overcharged by a public-relations firm, and after due process of law, the firm admitted to overcharging and paid the DWP back.

The City Council has taken money from the DWP before. Now that the department has $6 million, why doesn't the City Council borrow $4 million and use it for more police?

- Russell E. Spencer Sr.

Encino

Try something new

Re ``Mexico can't be a safe haven for cop killers'' (May 23):

The supposed solution is to pass H.R. 2363, which will let countries like Mexico know that we will consider their refusal to extradite cop killers to be a crime against the U.S., and that we will bring ``the full resources of the federal government to bear to seek justice.''

That should result in a good laugh for the Mexican government. A much better solution would be to give Mexico approximately $1.3 billion per year in foreign aid.

Instead of new laws and instead of trying to get Mexico to ignore its view of the illegality of the death penalty, why don't we just announce that we will be withholding a year's worth of aid for each day that the extradition is delayed?

I'll bet if that announcement was made this afternoon, Armando Garcia would be in Los Angeles this evening.

- Chris Letizia

Newbury Park

Not so diverse

Re ``Antonio a hit in Washington'' (June 2):

Our Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa is in Washington, D.C., rubbing elbows with the movers and shakers of our nation. What does he do? He holds a press conference. As he looks over those gathered before him, he bemoans the fact that he does not see diversity reflected in the make-up of those waiting for him to speak.

It appears that Villaraigosa wants to see diversity for diversity's sake. I would remind our mayor-elect that diversity does not and cannot solve the multitude of problems that face our fair city.

- Ron Ellis

La Tuna Canyon

Check your facts

Re ``Evidence enough'' (Your Opinions, June 3):

In the aftermath of ``Rathergate,'' I would have expected longtime leftie correspondent Philip Wilt to be a bit more circumspect. He perpetuates the lie originally published in the British medical journal Lancet that over 100,000 innocent Iraqis died at the hands of American and coalition forces. That number is now regarded, except by those who dislike President George W. Bush, as greatly exaggerated.

- Al Kholos

Winnetka

Congratulations!

Re ``Study this'' (Your Opinions, June 6):

Robert Gardner complains that the ``Democrats believe their primary job is to redistribute wealth'' by confiscating all the money the rich have and splitting it up equally among every California resident.

Obviously, you are rich. Congratulations! Why would you complain about the above issues yet not mention the horrendous spending by the current Bush administration, which took a budget surplus and turned it into the largest deficit ever?

Why is it OK for a Republican president to spend money we don't have on his own personal war but it is not acceptable for Democrats to try and enrich the lives of those who are not rich like you?

Do you or your Republican brethren care about anyone else but yourselves?

- Ted Calvert

Burbank

Hats off

For the past four years James Hahn ducked the Chatsworth horse-keeping issues and supported his wealthy pals.

Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa has already made a promise to come see Chatsworth's threatened horse properties. Villaraigosa doesn't plan to race through our unique community looking at issues from the back seat of a limo; instead he wants to see things from the hurricane deck of a cow pony.

That's what I've been talking about. It's actions not words that count. We've got a new mayor who can proudly wear a white hat.

- Jerry England

Chatsworth

Wake-up!

Re:``Are urban guerrillas putting City Hall in the cross hairs?'' (June 5):

Greig Smith is asleep at the switch on the Sunshine Canyon Landfill. Wake up, Greig. You are selling your district to the developers, big-box stores and waste haulers.

Calling Controller Laura Chick! She seems to be the only one who monitors the dysfunction of City Hall. The rest of the City Council should be appalled and give Granada Hills a group hug by ordering the sanitation director to call for bids.

C'mon, folks! Take just 1 percent responsibility for your area of service and the city of Los Angeles will actually be on the path to quality of life.

- Louise Clarke Stone

Sunland

Go figure

Re ``Bad example'' (Our Opinions, June 7):

The Daily News' opinion that college cuts affect mostly the middle class rather than the poor or wealthy is correct. Distribution of college aid is determined mostly by elitist, wealthy individuals or by activists representing the poor.

Readers should be reminded that these policies are supported mostly by those not paying their fair share of income or property taxes - namely the wealthy and poor. Instead, families paying the bulk of taxes are excluded from reaping benefits of college education.

Go figure.

- Christopher W. Williams

Valencia