Squandering riches

Re “A plot both wide and thick,” Column One, May 24

I will never understand the very wealthy. If most of us owned a beautiful, pristine 21,400-acre ranch, we would want it to stay that way forever. It is somewhat puzzling why Benjamin Coates, who apparently loved this place, would pass it on to someone who intends to turn it into another ugly development for a quick and very large profit.

ALAN COLES

Long Beach