PUBLIC FORUM.

It's the signals

Re ``MTA weighs bus line cameras'' (Dec. 7):

With all of the indignation over vehicles striking Orange Line buses, I'm surprised that no one has addressed the heart of the problem: L.A.'s adversarial signalization has created a scofflaw mentality.

At far too many intersections, signals are synchronized so that if you wait patiently behind an inexcusably long red light, then drive the speed limit, the next light will turn red just as you're arriving. In short, you're penalized for obeying the law. After a steady diet of this, even the most law-abiding motorist is going to be tempted to play ``beat the light.'' It may be wrong, it may be illegal, but it's just human nature.

- John S. Soet

Burbank

Nonperformance pay

Re ``Nonperformance pay'' (Editorial, Dec. 6):

Your Opinion in today's Editorial page is most appropriate; however, it is obvious that the voters do not care. The voters' rejection of Proposition 77 ensured senators and assemblymen of their ability to guarantee self-election, and their resulting self-enhancement will continue. Would you publish some details on the ``killer benefits package''? I am most interested in seeing what their retirement package is.

- Jerry Howard

Sherman Oaks

Closer to home

Re ``City controller offers to oversee audit of schools'' (Dec. 2):

I'm assuming that Laura Chick has no work; she's all caught up. Here are a few projects that her office could audit:

There are the Environmental Affairs Department and City Planning Department, which love to issue spot zoning changes and to call for mitigated negative declarations in place of environment impact reports - i.e., for city landfills, Verdugo Hills development and the Van Nuys Airport expansion projects.

There are the Bureau of Contract Administration and the Personnel Department, which turn a blind eye when it comes to labor-management agreements (such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power deal), salaries, workers' compensation claims, city staffing levels, disability pensions. If the city controller needs more suggestions: Read the local newspapers. On this occasion, your objectivity is but a ruse.

- Jose Bonilla 

Arleta

Foster care mess

Re ``Kids running away from system'' (Dec. 5):

The ``hike'' in children running away or being abducted is much worse than 23 percent. Since the number of children cared for per year has decreased in the last three years while the number of runaways has increased, the percentage of missing children has increased by 65 percent for each 1,000 children cared for.

- Leonard E McGinnis

Granada Hills

Kennedy is centrist

Re ``Arnold's chief of staff is breath of fresh air'' (Their Opinions, Dec. 7):

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made a fine choice in selecting Susan Kennedy as his new chief of staff. Like most Californians, she is a true centrist and pragmatic when it comes to growing our economy.

Kennedy will surely help the governor build consensus with the legislative leadership on a variety of priority issues, particularly as those priorities relate to rebuilding our state's infrastructure. We have full confidence in this appointment.

- Rusty Hammer

President and CEO 

L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce

The long silence

Re ``Reiner won't make run for governor'' (Dec. 8):

Rob Reiner said he is not running for governor. The long silence after that is from all the people who do not care. He said he wanted to concentrate his energy on universal preschool, like his First 5 program. And we all know how good that project has worked out. Reiner, please give that First 5 cigarette tax money to health care, where it belongs.

- R.J. Johnson

North Hollywood

Season reminders

Re ``Wishing you a PC Christmas'' (Dec. 3):

I have no problem with any tasteful holiday display that promotes peace on earth and good will to all, along with the attributes of faith, hope and charity and the directive to love thy neighbor. In our often-violent, somewhat-spiritually-bankrupt society, we sorely need these holiday season reminders to embrace a better way of living.

- Lorraine Migliore

Northridge

Plan ahead

Re ``Double-decker road rage'' (Nov. 27):

A suggestion to our city transportation planners. Use a modern type of transport vehicle, such as a maglev or monorail system, and put it down the middle of the so-called Los Angeles River bed. Construction would not disrupt the present flow of traffic. It would connect the San Fernando Valley to all parts of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Orange County, and it would not present the hazardous situation that was experienced on double-deck Interstate 880 in the Bay Area during one of California's ``shake, rattle and roll'' experiences.

I know this type of thing has been suggested before to our traditional, conservative planners. But this is the 21st century, ladies and gentlemen. Let's plan ahead, not behind (as in buses).

- Ken Walkey

Thousand Oaks

Taxing hybrid miles

Re ``Hybrid tax considered to fund highways'' (Nov. 26):

Why should miles be taxed on any vehicles, hybrid or regular? If authorities would just enforce the law on auto registration and charge double to those who don't get new stickers in time, there would be a lot of money for roads. The Department of Motor Vehicles sends out the registration renewal forms two months in advance. But just traveling in and out of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, I see from five to 20 cars each week with expired tags.

The Highway Patrol should be able to see stickers that are expired. Each day I see some that expired in March or April this year. Here it is the end of 2005, so these cars have been driven almost seven or eight months on our highways without the owners' paying for the privilege. Let's enforce the laws that we have and not just impose new taxes to compensate.

- Suzie Thompson

Saugus

Student exodus?

Re ``Numbers game'' (Editorial, Dec. 4):

I could not believe what I was reading in the Daily News this morning - LAUSD officials saying that kids are moving out faster than they are moving in. If that is the case, why are you building more schools at taxpayers' expense, and why do district officials keep asking for more bonds and getting them (unfortunately)?

Just look at the traffic out on the street and tell me that they are moving out. Another lame excuse by our Superintendent Roy Romer and other district officials. Just fire them all and put in new ones.

- Joe Pinoy Lozano

Mission Hills

Fighting to lose

Re ``U.S. can't win in Iraq, Dean says'' (Dec. 6):

It's not right for the Republicans to attack Howard Dean for saying that the idea that we can win in Iraq is just plain wrong. He really meant that we're not going to win if the Democrats can help it. Give the poor guy a break.

- Michael J. Nowland

Simi Valley

Good for him

Re ``Builder stirs San Fernando'' (Nov. 28):

Kudos to Severyn Aszkenazy. He is the best thing that has happened to San Fernando. How many bridal shops can one town have? The City Council and Irene Tovar should give thanks to Sev for having a dream to improve their town. When he accomplishes his dream there, he should go to Panorama City.

That city used to be nicknamed ``The Heart of the Valley.'' We had Robinsons, Broadway and Montgomery-Ward. So many businesses have moved out. When driving down Van Nuys Boulevard, I feel like I have crossed the border. What a shame. Continued success to Sev and Martha in all their endeavors.

- Marianne Castro-Lawson

Granada Hills