PUBLIC FORUM.

More power stations

Your editorial ``Outage outrage'' (July 25) is right on. The Department of Water and Power has the most antiquated equipment, particularly in the West Valley. It's not only power outage but reduced voltage during peak consumption hours, 2-6 p.m. I have monitored the voltage at these times and found it to be in the range of 105 volts to 107 volts. I've had my air conditioning shut down and not restart due to insufficient voltage.

About 1 1/2 years ago, DWP instrumented my power for a week and concurred with my low voltage readings. This resulted in a new transformer being installed, which, I assumed, resolved the problem. However, during this recent heat wave the air conditioning shut down due to low voltage overheating a start/run capacitor, which I had to replace. They need more power-distribution stations in the West Valley to resolve this problem.

-- Tom Campbell

Woodland Hills

The will to power

Re ``Power-hungry homes'' (Your Opinions, July 26):

The author is correct that developers should be responsible for power infrastructure upgrades, as well as for the roadway improvements, sidewalks, etc., that are needed to support the neighborhood.

I would like to suggest that new homes should be required to incorporate solar systems capable of providing 50 percent of the expected power requirements of the home. When included at the time of construction, the cost would be significantly less than the cost of an upgrade. These homes would be attractive to purchasers because of the lower power costs throughout the life of the home. We have the technology. Do we have the will?

-- Peter J. Brown

Sylmar

Self-appointed alliance

Re ``L.A.'s elite back in play as new Civic Alliance'' (July 16):

I read about the self-appointed Civic Alliance -- and noted that three of the key people are involved with the largest development in the history of the city, which also has received an inordinate amount of public funds and special favors, Playa Vista. Three of the 24 people listed in this exclusive alliance are Steve Soboroff, Playa Vista cheerleader and president; George Kieffer, of Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, Playa Vista's key City Hall lobbyist; and David Fleming of Latham and Watkins, Playa Vista's longtime legal counsel and lobbying firm.

And imagine this: The first order of business for this ``civic alliance'' is to increase the time that the current City Council can serve in office. With the huge investment Playa Vista has made in the current council members, it is no wonder that this alliance wants these people to stay in office.

-- Marcia Hanscom

Director, Wetlands Protection Network

Playa del Rey 

Yes, we are outraged

Re ``Council set to increase city fees'' (July 25):

Personally, I disagree 100 percent with Leonard Schaffer's comments about the fee hikes. I think neighborhood council representatives all around Los Angeles are upset about the fee hikes. The problem is we are volunteers, and we need time to organize and fight City Hall.

In this case, as in several others recently, we've been shut out. This was proposed and sailed through committees and the City Council in record time. Boards need time to meet and discuss these issues before we make a stand. And if something is rushed through, we can't. It's another example of the growing view that neighborhood councils are just there and don't have to be consulted.

-- John Popowich

President

Winnetka Neighborhood Council

History of friends

Re ```Friends' of Ludlow'' (Our Opinions, July 24):

Regarding the friends of Martin Ludlow supporting him with his financial woes, you need to understand the history of the relation of Ludlow with Herb Wesson and company. You might want to research back to when Herb was speaker of the Assembly and where Ludlow was at that time. You might also want to research who was responsible for placing Martin Ludlow in the 10th Council District as a carpetbagger candidate for the council seat.

Then research the real reason Ludlow gave up his council seat to take the union position. Start with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Division 6. Ludlow was the fallen angel. Antonio Villaraigosa was savvy enough not to lend his name to this event even though he considers Martin like a son.

-- Carol Tucker

Los Angeles

High price to pay

Re ``Sound of silence'' (Our Opinions, July 20):

Before Valley residents begin to celebrate the proposal to ban the remaining 33 Stage 2 jets at Van Nuys Airport, they should appreciate the following facts: The noise impact area of Van Nuys Airport today has been reduced by 87.2 percent since 1990. The number of impacted homes has been reduced by 74.7 percent from 1990 levels. The number of based jet aircraft has actually increased by 79.6 percent since 1990.

Noise complaints have decreased by 89.4 percent since 1996. Two Caltrans permit-renewal investigations -- one a court proceedings -- indicated no noise issues. Only 4.1 percent of expected near-speech-level noise-irritation complaints are received each year. Upon completion, the new Stage 2 ban will cost the community 1,159 jobs, $236 million in lost annual economic activity and $2.9 million in lost city tax revenue each year, according to an economic impact report prepared for the Van Nuys Airport Association by The Polaris Group.

That is an extremely big price tag to solve a problem that a judge says doesn't exist.

-- Martin M. Cooper

Immediate past chairman

Valley Industry and Commerce Association

At least pay their way

Re ``And just fire them'' (Your Opinions, July 25):

Council fired -- yeah! I'm all for it. But get this: If someone can put a proposal on the November ballot to keep the council, but make members start purchasing their own cars and paying for gasoline, car maintenance and parking, I'll sure be singing in the rain. Does anyone have a better idea?

-- Loris Fischer

Canoga Park

Not buying it

Re ``Power grab'' (Our Opinions, July 25):

Should the Los Angeles City Council members get another four years at the trough? Absolutely not. They don't listen now, so why should they get four more years?

I am sorry, but if the ordinary person was getting half as much in salary, perks and recognition, that person would be perfectly happy. And wake up, liberal Los Angeles, here come the increases: Department of Water and Power, trash and property taxes. Shame on us for not letting council members know we aren't buying it.

-- Wynne Ritch

Granada Hills

No justification

The war the Israelis started in Lebanon is wrong. They should be outright condemned for destroying a fledgling democracy. They are slaughtering the innocent to punish their enemies for kidnapping two soldiers.

The Israelis' P.R. is they are fighting terrorism. They are actually employing terrorism, and the proof is in the smoking ruins of the destroyed cities and the massacred citizens of Lebanon. There can be no justification for this.

-- Howard Barr

Burbank

Criminally slow

Re ``Killer's photos creating chills'' (July 26):

In 1984, William Richard Bradford is arrested on suspicion of murder, and the police find pictures of 50 women depicted in various poses. In 1987 he is convicted of two murders and states, ``Think of how many you don't even know about?'' And now -- 22 years later -- the police take these pictures out of a box and ask for the public's help in identifying possible additional murders.

Do you mean to tell me that no one put 2 and 2 together -- that these pictures could have been of additional victims? For 22 years there have been mothers, fathers, husbands, children, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles agonizing over what could have happened to their loved ones, and just maybe their pictures have been in a box of evidence about a convicted murderer since 1984.

-- Marilyn N. Hankins

Westlake Village