Pantry Reopening

Re “Riordan’s Diner Reopens After Daylong Shutdown,” Nov. 28: I’m just wondering if Mayor Richard Riordan intends to reimburse L.A. County for the wages paid to the health inspector he called to his restaurant on Thanksgiving morning. As majority owner of the Original Pantry, I’m sure he earned enough profits that day to better afford paying holiday wages than the financially ill county.

Aren’t we fortunate to live in a country where one can just pick up the phone on a national holiday and within one hour have a civil servant at his place of business, finished with an inspection of the premises, so that he can immediately reopen.

ELAINE POWELL

Valley Village

* I certainly hope that the “magic” 800 number which got the mayor a health inspector in one hour on Thanksgiving Day is available to all the other restaurant owners in the city.

LINDA ELLINGSON

Los Angelesrb