City’s Role in Dodgers’ Sale

* Re “Hayden Takes a Swing at Riordan for Dodgers’ Sale,” Jan. 10:

The reaction of elected officials to the shocking decision of Peter O’Malley to sell the Los Angeles Dodgers provided a wonderful example of the difference between a blowhard politician who will say anything to grab a headline and a thoughtful elected official.

The politician in this case is none other than warped ‘60s radical Tom Hayden, who blamed the Dodgers’ sale on Mayor Richard Riordan.

To contrast Hayden, you have Los Angeles Councilwoman Laura Chick, who floated the idea of exploring how Dodger fans might participate in the ownership of the team (Jan. 12).

LARRY MONTE

Agoura

* Hayden’s appearance at Dodger Stadium was derided by some as another farfetched attempt to take a current news story and somehow connect it with his opponent. With this issue, however, the connection is valid. The Dodger personnel at the community forums I attended last year usually spoke in generalized terms, but on one question their answer was unequivocal: The proposal to construct an NFL facility on Dodger property originated not with O’Malley, but with Riordan, and O’Malley spent significant amounts of time and money pursuing it because he was asked to do so by Riordan.

The mayor’s strategy has become apparent; if the proposal were to succeed, he’d be able to accept the accolades and toast the achievement with his buddies in a luxury box at the new stadium. If it were to fail, however, then all repercussions and embarrassment would be borne by O’Malley.

HOWARD W. HAYS

Los Angeles

* If O’Malley’s decision to sell the Dodgers is tied to L.A. city representatives’ continued hope to place an NFL team in the Coliseum, then economic redevelopment would be synonymous with shortsightedness. Simply put, many outside of L.A. will not go to the Coliseum to see a sporting event. City reps would have to change the area’s image held by both the NFL and fans for miles around.

CHRIS LOZANO

Colton

* Is there any leadership in Los Angeles? Disney Hall, the downtown sports arena, professional football and now the Dodgers. All the while, the little warlords on the City Council guard their turf and throw mud at the mayor. A world-class city? I think not.

PETER F. McANDREWS

Santa Monica

* Re “Did Aborted NFL Team Bid Set Stage for Dodger Sale?” news analysis, Jan. 12:

Mayor Riordan’s argument that regional interests should take precedence over local concerns on land use is exactly why the City Council is wary of the mayor’s attempted power grab through charter reform. As a member of the City Council, I too recognize the need for reform. However, the mayor has again shown his true colors when he attacks me for fighting on behalf of my constituents who opposed development of a football stadium in Elysian Park.

The mayor and I discussed the potential for a football stadium in Elysian Park, adjacent Dodger Stadium. I warned him the community would oppose any new development in Chavez Ravine and that sacrificing park space in a community that had very little to begin with would not be acceptable. However, days later, he went to O’Malley promising the city’s support for the Elysian Park site.

O’Malley and I have maintained an open dialogue throughout this process. I’ll make no apologies for my role in fighting a football stadium in Elysian Park. Every neighborhood should be concerned about a mayor who states it doesn’t matter what a local community thinks if an undesirable land use is perceived to be in the regional interest.

MIKE HERNANDEZ

City Council, 1st District

* There have been many references lately to the 20 homeowners who were displaced by the construction of Dodger Stadium. The prior residents of Chavez Ravine still bemoan their fate after 30 years and suggest that they were the victims of racism on the part of the O’Malley family. I do not mean to belittle their plight, but condemnation and forced relocation of some families is the price a city has to pay to grow and improve.

It is unfortunate for the people that were displaced from Chavez Ravine. However, in light of the much greater good that Dodger Stadium has brought to the entire community, it was the right thing to do.

JEFFREY STEWART

Eagle Rock