To the editor: “It’s essential to not be reactive; you need to at all times be proactive, and if you happen to can, be predictive” — that is the credo of being a politician in Los Angeles, a minimum of optically. (“Cease Monday-morning quarterbacking Karen Bass’ fireplace response,” letters, Feb. 17)
And if you happen to’re a staffer to a politician, it’s your job. That’s why political staffers are exempt from civil service guidelines of their appointments. You’re employed to attain a end result and responsibility sure to serve Los Angeles to make issues occur. Most significantly, you’re round when there’s an emergency.
Having served as a Los Angeles Metropolis Council aide, assistant deputy mayor and deputy chief of employees to the council president, I do know it is a lot to anticipate — however that’s the gig. Each mayor I’ve recognized (together with Richard Riordan, for whom I labored) may have a minimum of one main check.
So that you don’t need to be a prophet relating to disasters such because the latest fires, one thing a letter author stated Mayor Karen Bass’ critics appear to anticipate of her. You simply must be current.
John Lee, Los Angeles
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To the editor: In a latest column, Steve Lopez joined a refrain of others insisting that Bass “did herself no favors by being on one other continent when the fires broke out, regardless of warnings of crucial hazard attributable to drought and loopy winds.”
I used to be born in Los Angeles and have lived right here for many years. For so long as I can bear in mind, we have now obtained common warnings of potential hazard from droughts and Santa Ana winds. Even meteorologists should not certain of how “crucial” these circumstances could be.
So in and of itself, the prediction of Santa Ana winds in dry circumstances was not trigger for such alarm that it ought to have prevented the mayor from touring.
When the fires broke out, the mayor was visiting Ghana. Upon studying of the disaster again dwelling, she instantly returned.
As Californians, we’re always reminded of the hazard from earthquakes. So, ought to the mayor stay frozen in place, restricted from all journey till the unpredictable tragedy happens? I believe not.
No different politician within the historical past of Los Angeles has confronted a catastrophe of this magnitude. On this unprecedented second, allow us to give Mayor Bass a possibility to rise to the event.
Legrand H. Clegg II, Compton
