Downtown L.A. as a Convention Site for the Democratic Party

In regard to “Has L.A. Forgotten the Party?” (May 22), I would not worry too much about the delegates seeing the downside of Los Angeles. I am sure they have all been in Washington, D.C., at one time or another.

MARGIT ISCHOVITSCH

Orange

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I was flabbergasted at the lack of concern and understanding for how important the Democratic Convention is to Los Angeles.

If I was an out-of-town delegate, I wouldn’t have a lot of confidence in L.A. pulling off a seamless convention when its communications director, Ben Austin, is quoted as saying, “We didn’t want to create a city that wouldn’t exist a week after the convention,” and, “It’s important that when we, as a city, step into the national spotlight that we don’t gloss over our problems in the community. Our job is to tell the whole story of L.A.”

If Austin and his supervisors really believe the things that he said, then the streets shouldn’t be the only thing broomed.

DAVE BREWER

Marina del Rey

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The people of California now know that their do-nothing, buck-passing mayor and his cronies have wasted a golden opportunity to showcase our community and hospitality to the nation in hosting the 2000 Democratic Convention!

I think the Democratic Committee should make emergency plans to move--yes--move the convention to some city that is prepared to offer the basic decency of safe transportation, harassment-free and safe environs for the delegates and visitors, and a city government prepared to put its citizens and culture on display for the nation, not shame them into accepting less than the best of Los Angeles!

JULIE T. BYERS

Temple City