Ahmanson isn’t a ‘done deal’





I hate to disappoint the anonymous writer of the Sept. 26 opinion piece, but Ahmanson Ranch is not "a done deal."


The California Attorney General and the city of Los Angeles are joining other federal and state agencies in threatening Washington Mutual with legal action to get them to produce a new Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to replace the obviously out-of-date old one. Ahmanson still has crucial permits it must secure from the Army Corp of Engineers and from the city of Los Angeles. Both the California Department of Fish and Game and the Regional Water Quality Board are calling the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) inadequate.


Ahmanson Ranch still has many hurdles to get over. I have seen the groundbreaking for this "done deal" move from 1999 to 2000, 2001, 2002 and now 2003. The fight against the Ahmanson Ranch and Washington Mutual is still very much alive.


Rob Reiner is a courageous activist who is donating his time, energy and name to fight for a cause that he believes in (which is more than I can say for the anonymous writer). I feel honored to have his help.


The writer is ignorant of recent facts pertaining to Ahmanson Ranch issue. Had he read the SEIR, he would know that there is solid ground for the legal challenges that will be brought up against this project in the coming months. Had he been following the news, he would know that there are tempting tax incentives available to Washington Mutual, should they decide to sell. But no, he is content to push the "You can’t stop progress/bring back the good old days" line.


The people whom you smugly accuse of "nimbyism" are trying to keep your neighborhood a better place to live in. They are trying to protect your children from the effects of pollution. They are trying to prevent your freeways from becoming gridlocked.


Unlike you, I am signing my name to this letter. That way, you will know at least one person to thank when Ahmanson Ranch is defeated.


James Garafalo


Calabasas


The editor of The Acorn, Steve Holt, writes the editorials unless he’s ill or on vacation.


The opinions of daily newspapers also don’t include bylines, but it’s pretty easy to determine who wrote them if you check the staff boxes. Nobody is trying to hide.



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *