LETTERS

House Proud

I wish to correct the misconception about the lawsuit filed against the Los Angeles Unified School District regarding fee increases (Politics column, Nov. 4). The lawsuit was filed by two named plaintiffs that have absolutely nothing to do with a “coalition” or the development community as a whole. The development community in Los Angeles, especially those builders who are members of the Building Industry Association, have worked tirelessly to partner with the School District as they seek to build much needed new schools. To label this as a fight between “housing developers” and the District is simply incorrect. Two developers do not make an entire community. Our members continue to stand behind our agreement with the District and look forward to a continued partnership that benefits the children of Los Angeles.

Ray Pearl

Executive Officer

Building Industry Association – Greater Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter

Convention Venting

I have been reading your articles about the Los Angeles Convention Center from the perspective of someone who attends several conferences a year there. Two negatives I haven’t seen mentioned are that the cost of parking continues to rise (to $7 to $10 per day from $5 a few years ago) and the limited, lousy and expensive choice of food at the Convention Center. The nearest restaurants are at least three long blocks away.

I’ve been to conferences in other cities and can easily see why conferences chose other convention centers.

Thomas J. Lenzo

Pasadena

Prudent Jurist

With most provisions of the Microsoft anti-trust settlement with the U.S. Justice Department accepted by Judge Kollar-Kotelly (“Microsoft Settlement Means Little to Area’s Software Companies,” Nov. 11 issue), I hope a new era of economic recovery and technological innovation will be spawned in America as Microsoft’s competitors turn their energies to building better and higher quality products. In doing so, they can seize the chance to help, not hinder, our nation’s economic recovery.

After five years and millions of dollars, the time has come for the technology industry to refocus on research, development and job creation not litigation. Our economic recovery requires nothing less.

Conrado Terrazas

Los Angeles

Banking History

The game of musical chairs in bank names and ownership (“Familiarity Breeds Comfort as Banks Play Name Game,” Nov. 4), reducing business clients to nothing more than a computer password, is an insult to long-term business owners.

When I opened my business in 1962, I made a decision to only trust two advisors my mother and my banker. Forty years later my 88-year-old mom is still makes her daily phone call to make sure I am keeping the bottom line healthy. And were it not for City National Bank, I doubt I could have remained in the same location as a very successful Studio City real estate agent and developer. The banking industry should take note of the success of the Goldsmith family in retaining control of their personalized business bank for over 40 years.

Mort Allen

Allen Realty & Studio City Development Corp.

Studio City