PUBLIC FORUM.

Griffith Park incident

There has been no mention of the time that elapsed between the first 911 report and the time that Fire Department assets were over that fire. The dispatch system appears to be taking too much time.

This is a matter of concern. In the recent past, three houses have burned to the ground because the fire equipment was late getting there. One of them was right behind the firehouse!

-- Timothy Vickers

Topanga

Bring on the audit

Re "Troubles threaten Children's Museum in Valley" (May 9):

As someone who has worked in the nonprofit realm for a number of years, I am shocked that the Children's Museum has taken 70 percent of its funding from public funds. Board members and designated fundraising personnel of any private nonprofit have the fiduciary responsibility to raise a substantial fraction of project funds from private donors.

How many community projects or programs will be underfunded or cut altogether for years to come? Why is the public bearing their burden? Why would any board member or fundraiser blatantly point fingers at officials who are in fact attempting to assist their project? This taxpayer says "Bring on the audit!"

-- Kristin C. Sabo

Lake View Terrace

Promises

Re "Troubles threaten Children's Museum in Valley" (May 9):

I recall that one of the three things that Richard Alarcon said he would do if elected was to see the Children's Museum completed. And what is one of his first acts in this capacity? He cuts the $1 million from the methane-gas sales fund. When other means are found to complete the museum, more than likely through private funds, as it was originally designed to be, Alarcon will take the credit and say, ... "See? I kept one of my three promises."

I can't wait to see how he handles his two other promises, the development of the Price-Fister property, as I understand the environmental impact study started before Alarcon, and another fire station for Sylmar, already in the works, provided by a housing developer. Mark my words, he'll find a way to take credit for all of the above.

-- Gary E. Taylor

Sylmar

Alarcon responds

Re "Save the museum" (Our Opinions, May 10):

I find it odd that the Daily News, which champions fiscal responsibility, is questioning my efforts to hold the Children's Museum of Los Angeles financially accountable. Since I began my term, I have met with the CLA's office, museum officials and the state to ensure that the museum is a success. Just last week, I helped facilitate the release of $2.38 million to cover what I understood to be construction cost shortfalls.

However, I have concerns about discrepancies in the museum's financial reports. I will hold them fiscally responsible, as I would any other organization. That is why I called for an audit. It's important that we ensure not only that the museum is constructed, but that it is financially sustainable for decades to come.

-- Richard Alarcon

Los Angeles city councilman

Sounds familiar

Re "More DWP contract bungling" (May 9):

The bosses at the L.A. Department of Water and Power have been shown over and over to be major feeders at the trough of inside deal-making. Yet none of them is elected. How can it be that unelected people are purchased by special interest groups while elected people are purchased by legal and visible contributions by the same special interest groups?

I ask the question, why should the public be taxed (read: campaign finance reform) to pay for electioneering when special interest groups own even those who have no electioneering expenses? Let the back-door criminals continue to belly-crawl for their own election money, then fire them when they run for re-election.

-- Patrick Weir

Chatsworth