To the editor: As some blame Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for the hydrants working dry in Pacific Palisades, I’m wondering if the unique designers of the firefighting water system there (and within the different hillside areas of Los Angeles) ever contemplated the mix of gasoline ranges, lack of rain and depth of Santa Ana winds that we’re seeing resulting from world warming.
As we witnessed dramatic adjustments in local weather during the last three a long time, why didn’t earlier metropolis administrations apply that proof to considerably improve the capability of the firefighting water system? It seems that a long time of metropolis leaders — each elected and appointed — had been asleep on the change.
It then is tough to assign blame to Bass, as she was elected solely two years in the past. It appears, although, that she ought to have already got introduced a fee of inquiry made up of specialists to suggest adjustments to our water infrastructure to handle the heightened threat. This physique also needs to counsel adjustments in constructing codes earlier than residents begin commissioning architects to organize plans for alternative houses.
Mark Ryavec, Venice
The author, president of the Venice Stakeholders Assn., is a former legislative analyst for town of Los Angeles.
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To the editor: So the hydrants in Pacific Palisades ran dry. Maybe the brand new supervisor of the L.A. Division of Water and Energy can donate a few of her $750,000 wage again to town for upkeep and repairs.
And when there’s a disaster, why on this planet do officers waste time throughout information conferences patting themselves on the again for doing their jobs?
Glenn Zweifel, Mar Vista
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To the editor: The town of Los Angeles has acknowledged its shortcomings in getting ready for and combating the present fires. Mayor Bass took a deliberate journey to Ghana whereas climate forecasters predicted catastrophe. A lot of the Palisades hearth was in Los Angeles County, not essentially town.
If local weather change goes to worsen, we want one of the best efforts of all authorities companies. The place was the water? The place had been the water bombers? The place had been the recent shot crews? The place had been county leaders on this most important time?
If you happen to settle for the actual fact of local weather change, then you need to be very nervous about your future after we don’t put together for the inevitable now. There isn’t any actual management, solely elected and non-elected officers hoping to carry onto their jobs.
If we make it by means of this disaster, we should maintain our leaders’ ft to the hearth. We would like motion, no more of the identical.
William Carroll, Carlsbad
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To the editor: I want to shed some perception on the trauma to your psyche whenever you survive a hearth.
Our household’s home burned down in Oak Park, Ailing., in 1976. My mother and father had been rehabbing a dilapidated Frank Lloyd Wright home. It burned in the midst of the night time with us inside. It was horrific. We misplaced all the pieces aside from some garments.
We had been so appreciative of the firefighters’ valiant efforts, and we relied on our neighborhood to assist us grieve and course of what occurred. Hearth destroys not solely property, but in addition your goals. It unnerves you. You do be taught to understand the little issues extra and understand that there’s little or no that you actually need in life.
Survivors want neighborhood and love. Now isn’t the time for blame; there shall be loads of time later to do this. Folks want to speak about their trauma and how one can course of it. I want I may attain survivors now to assist them perceive that their religion and power shall be examined, however they may survive.
The hearth that engulfed our household was the principle cause I didn’t go to school at first. I couldn’t depart my mother and father. I waited till 2013 to get my bachelor’s diploma. It takes time to heal.
All of us can present extra compassion. Flip the flames of fireside into the sunshine our world wants now. It may have occurred to any one in every of us.
Diane DeCaro Runft, Lake Forest, Ailing.
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To the editor: We’re grieving. We’re overwhelmed on the considered rebuilding. Our assets are restricted.
Los Angeles must focus by itself residents. Los Angeles must say no to the 2028 Olympics.
Linda Salzma, Rancho Palos Verdes
