PUBLIC FORUM.

Crossing gates? Yes

Re ``Busway crash injures 15'' (Nov. 3):

After driving the Valley streets for close to 50 years, and driving a truck for my service business for the last 37, I can say that the cell phone is the worst thing to happen to our roads and freeways. The Valley Glen incident will only be the tip of the iceberg for this type of accident. The one at Topham in Tarzana was due to an illegal right turn. You can only turn right and cross the bus line with a green arrow, pointing to your right. Duh!

Asking people driving vehicles with beverage holders, sound systems, DVD players, navigation systems, and either eating or talking on the phone to drive responsibly is moronic at best. The old crossing gate is the only way to keep accidents at a minimum and it's obvious the city refuses them because of aesthetic reasons and maintenance.

- Bob Mauch

North Hills

Crossing gates? No

Re ``Busway crash injures 15'' (Nov. 3):

We need to nip this in the bud right now. Two ``accidents'' in one day? No way. These are not accidents, these are careless drivers and should be treated as such. You run a red light on the Orange Line route, surrender your license for six months and pay a hefty fine.

Maybe then, when you're riding the Orange Line to work each day because you can no longer drive, you'll realize just how important this method of transportation is to the thousands of Valley residents who are depending on it to go to work, school or the pleasure of a safe and comfortable ride through the San Fernando Valley. We do not need gates at these crossings, we just need more considerate drivers, drivers that follow the rules of the road.

- Chris Kane

Winnetka

Aggressive citing

Re ``Busway crash injures 15'' (Nov. 3):

I know the police have written quite a few tickets in the vicinity of the Orange Line, but it is time for an aggressive zero-tolerance policy by the police for all traffic infractions around the busway. Make it a miserable place to drive if you violate any traffic law.

Write tickets for seat belt violations, lane changes without using turn signals, brake lights out, rolling stops at stop signs, all violations of any type. The only way drivers will pay enough attention to driving around the busway is if they are really scared of being cited. Then, maybe, the Orange Line busway will be a safer place for all us.

- Rod Luedke

West Hills

Irresponsibility

Re ``Busway crash injures 15'' (Nov. 3):

What happened to responsibility? Three people ran red lights, with one believed to be on a cell phone, and caused an accident with the Orange Line bus. Is this the bus's responsibility? Or is it the responsibility of the automobile driver to obey the signals?

There have been enough warnings about the changes and addition of lights. I do not travel through those intersections all the time, but I have been there often enough to experience the new lights and intersections. I also know I am to stop at red lights. Drivers, take responsibility.

- Betty Jenkins

Chatsworth

Not the answer

Re ``Redrawing sanity'' (Editorials, Oct. 30):

Your frustration with gerrymandered districts is understandable, but Proposition 77 is not the answer. To presume that a panel of three retired judges will be fair, impartial and politically neutral is naive. Power corrupts, and vesting that much power in a panel of any three persons is asking for trouble.

Why not let the computer do it? The only criteria: Equal distribution of citizens among districts, and districts as nearly square as possible, giving deference to county, municipal and natural geographic boundaries. That's it. Simple, fair, impartial and unsusceptible to influence by any person or group. Let's wait and fix it right. Vote no on 77.

- Grant Gullickson

Northridge

DWP reform

Re ``Panel pushes DWP reform; Committee eyes contracting procedures'' (Nov. 1):

The newly appointed Water and Power commissioners are a breath of fresh air. Doing away with the consent agenda has made a world of difference for the viewing public also. I would ask the commissioners, though, to not only consider ``dollars, and greening the city'' but public safety and quality of life. We in the remaining rural areas of the city are very concerned about maintaining open space to ensure quality of life for all.

- Louise Clarke Stone

Sunland

Managerial bullying

Re ``Panel pushes DWP reform'' (Nov. 2):

As a concerned citizen who attended the Nov. 1 Department of Water and Power board meeting, I was impressed with the astuteness and diligence of the new DWP commission. Perhaps the culture of corruption and collusion that has so long dominated city government may actually be turned around.

I hope the commissioners will respond with equal diligence to another issue brought before them at that meeting: the managerial bullying and harassment with which the DWP has traditionally punished whistle-blowers. Employees who have the integrity and courage to expose internal crimes or malfeasance should be rewarded, not punished. Bravo to the gentleman who drew this to the new commissioners' attention.

- Deb Baumann

Sun Valley

If it was fair

Re ''Seek permission'' (Your Opinions, Nov. 1):

Craig Crippen seems to be unaware that union members may at the present time withhold their permission from their union for political contributions with which they disagree. If the purpose of Proposition 75 was fairness, it would also mandate that corporations get the permission from their stockholders before they contribute to political causes.

Corporations give five times more money to political parties (mostly Republican) than do the unions. This means that corporations wield five times more influence than do unions in American life. Those interested in fairness will vote no on Proposition 75.

- Philip Wilt

Van Nuys

Emotional reminder

Re ``2,000'' (Oct. 26):

Your Oct. 26 front page was a wonderful emotional reminder.

- Elisabeth Schenk

Northridge

Right people

Re ``Wrong country'' (Your Opinions, Nov. 1):

Regarding Barbara Mark's question in the Monday letters regarding the new busway celebration and ``what Aztec dancers represent'' and ``why honor them on the Orange bus line'': Besides the obvious ``why not'' answer, I would suggest that there are many descendants of the Aztecs living in California and they have a strong cultural pride - as well they might.

We here enjoy many foods that originated with the Aztecs, including chili, chocolate and my favorite, tacos. Many common words in our language also come from the Aztec people: avocado, chocolate and tomato, to name three. I am sorry I missed the celebration; sounds like a wonderful event.

- Eileen O'Neill

West Hills

An ex-Marine

Re ``Still a Marine'' (Your Opinions, Oct. 31):

Joe Lozano writes that there are no ex-Marines. Well, I am an ex-Marine. Unlike Lozano, who served just three years in peacetime, I served 13 years with two combat tours, as both an enlisted man and as an officer.

But when I took off the uniform, I put it all behind me and went on to bigger and better things, Nevertheless, I am proud to have served my country honorably, and that goes for anyone who does, regardless of what service they were in. It is too bad that sometimes the politicians waste our service, as is happening in Iraq.

- Jack Allen 

Pacific Palisades