To the editor: It’s not a great search for a mayor to throw her hearth chief below the bus. (“Bass ousts L.A. fire chief, saying LAFD needs ‘new leadership,’” Feb. 21, and “Bass says LAFD Chief Crowley failed to warn her about fire risk,” Feb. 20)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was made conscious of the upcoming harmful Santa Ana winds earlier than she left the nation as a part of a Biden administration delegation to Ghana. She was additionally conscious of the dry situations all through the world.
She made the selection to go to Africa to characterize the U.S. in a comparatively insignificant ceremony in Ghana. Bass must personal this resolution as a substitute of firing Los Angeles Hearth Division Chief Kristin Crowley.
Mark Elfont, Valencia
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To the editor: Please let me test the timeline on this.
On Jan. 2, the Nationwide Climate Service warned of the potential for “excessive hearth climate situations” starting Jan. 7. On Jan. 3, the company escalated its warning to “main danger.” Within the following days, it could warn that life-threatening situations have been potential.
This data was broadcast on each main media outlet in Los Angeles. As well as, at the moment, the LAFD despatched out messages on its social media platforms warning of vital hearth hazard.
On Jan. 4, Bass left for Ghana. This week, she acknowledged she wouldn’t have left if Crowley had known as to tell her of the upcoming hazard.
Received it.
Larry Levy, Winnetka
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To the editor: Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath definitely is aware of how one can maintain the fires going lengthy after they’ve been contained. (“‘Doesn’t feel very “locked arms” to me’: Texts reveal strain between Bass and Horvath,” Feb. 19)
Has Bass made some errors? In fact. When an unprecedented occasion on the size of those fires happens, there isn’t a playbook to consult with, and nobody goes to get it 100% right.
What we do count on from our elected officers in a time of disaster is to work collectively regardless of their variations to assist folks in determined want. Utilizing the fires and ongoing aftermath for political leverage just isn’t productive, and it creates hostile relationships that assist nobody.
Rodney Kemerer, Beverly Hills
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To the editor: Bass ought to admit her mistake in overlooking the hearth hazard warnings that proliferated in early January.
If she will settle for duty for her failings as a substitute of blaming others for her lack of management, her constituents very probably may forgive her and categorical their appreciation for her dedication to those that have suffered.
Till that point, Bass is prone to proceed dealing with criticism for perceived errors in judgment in overlooking the disaster that unfolded whereas she was in Ghana on U.S. authorities enterprise.
Christian Teeter, Los Angeles
