PUBLIC FORUM.

Failing the bar, again

Re ``Mayor loses in court'' (Dec. 22):

It is no wonder that Mayor Villaraigosa kept failing the State Bar exam when he continues to argue that he has the law on his side regarding the takeover of the LAUSD. All he had to do was read the City Charter to realize that he does not have the authority as mayor to run the schools.

What he should have done was ask the voters of L.A. to amend the charter, giving him that authority, instead of trying an end run around the voters by going to the state Legislature, which under the state constitution cannot give the mayor any additional authority that is not authorized by the City Charter.

-- Jack Allen 

Pacific Palisades 

System is progressing

Re ``Hope in the 'Hoods'' (Our Opinions, Dec. 21):

While your article suggests the optimism that neighborhood council system volunteers and observers hold for this new innovation in municipal governance, the assertion that councils ``lack any sort of real legitimacy'' is plain incorrect. Neighborhood councils are empowered to monitor service delivery and provide input on city policies, and further are chartered to bring new people into government. By all of these measures, the system is progressing. Indeed, in our research we find that those in city government who work closely with councils consistently cite their existence and progress as major achievements.

Officials and department administrators charged under the charter to include neighborhood councils in municipal policymaking appear less inclined to view them favorably, however. As a researcher following the system for more than four years, I can attest to variation across the city in neighborhood council capacity. But I am keenly aware of the larger context: Los Angeles has a thin tradition of political participation. Undermining the new system will go no distance toward greater local empowerment.

-- Mark Elliot, graduate researcher

USC Neighborhood Participation Project

School of Policy, Planning, and Development

Carrot, not pitchfork

Re ``Key city reform failing'' (Dec. 16):

Neighborhood councils can be successful if board members engage elected officials with honesty and respect. Unfortunately, past experience has proved that a few politicos are for themselves, not the people they serve. The media reinforces that belief daily.

In my effort to preserve horse-keeping in Los Angeles, I have won support from Mayor Villaraigosa, Councilman Smith and Supervisor Antonovich, but I have also earned total disdain from some neighborhood council members who believe the job of the council is to bash elected officials. Some folks need to learn if the barn door is open and the horses are running away, the best tool to catch them is a carrot, not a pitchfork.

-- Jerry England

Chatsworth

Time to go

Re ``Cops gone wild'' (Our Opinions, Dec. 21):

When William Bratton came to Los Angeles, with him he brought East Coast political cronyism. Let us not forget John Miller being caught trying to take a Glock pistol aboard an airline. Now Michael Berkow's sexual exploits sending shudders of anxiety throughout the sixth floor of Parker Center.

Bratton can't claim ignorance, and if he does, shame on him and more the reason to fire him. After all, LAFD Chief William Bamattre was forced to resign under less severe internal problems. If the city of Los Angeles, along with the civil-rights leaders and news media, demand excellence from the bottom, the example should start from the top, and that is more than ample reason Chief Bratton should be asked to leave, and forgo his recent pay raise.

-- Chris Biller

LAPD detective/sergeant retired

Moorpark

What a wuss

So Mr. ``Tough Guy'' Donald Trump decides to give Miss USA a second chance ... what a wuss. I wanted to hear ``You're Fired.''

-- John N. Engels

Northridge