Los Angeles Charter Reform

* Erwin Chemerinsky’s article on charter reform (“On L.A. Council, the Selfish Rule,” Commentary, May 27) was a telling commentary on the dearth of bold, enlightened political leadership in Los Angeles. Instead of seizing the opportunity to sponsor and support purposeful planning for the future and the common good, a majority of our City Council are in most unsubtle ways defending their turfs out of pecuniary and power-oriented concerns. In addition to revealing such gross small-mindedness, council members are contributing to the continuing decline of interest in important political matters within our electorate.

Chemerinsky wrote that failure to pass charter reform will leave us with “an anachronistic governing document that hinders city government in its delivery of basic services.” It seems to me that the council members who disdain change and reform are the actual anachronistic hindrances to more effective and productive city government.

JACK R. LEWIS

Los Angeles

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In 1903 a public art committee with no executive power or funds was created by the City Council and the mayor to make the “city more beautiful.” In 1911 the Department of Municipal Art was permanently embedded in the City Charter. Over the years the department (now the Department of Cultural Affairs) served to elevate the quality of life of the city’s population and the good design of its public facilities. The department helped save the Watts Towers, operates facilities at Barnsdall Park and elsewhere, has sponsored performances of community choral music and chamber “Concerts on the Green,” has held citywide art competitions and so on. The department’s very existence should not be left to the changing political priorities of any given council and mayor.

This is exactly what the proposed charter does. Section 115 invites the council and the mayor to continue the Department of Cultural Affairs only “until changed or eliminated by ordinance.” Not, as it is now, by a vote of the people. The placing of these vital cultural programs in such a precarious position is sufficient reason to vote against the proposed charter.

EDDY S. FELDMAN

Past President, L.A. Board of Municipal Arts Commissioners

Beverly Hills