* I would like to respond to former Councilman Ernani Bernardi's letter, "Petition Assemblyman to Close Lopez Canyon" (July 23).
Mr. Bernardi seems to be missing the point altogether about Lopez Canyon. I applaud him for coming to the defense of the Lopez Canyon neighbors--they have indeed suffered enough. But the issue isn't whether or not it should remain open; the issue is about the archaic idea that dumps belong in neighborhoods "closer to home." Mr. Bernardi suggests reopening Mission Canyon and gutting Rustic and Sullivan canyons. As for Sunshine Canyon, it has already been gutted with the blessing of the Board of Supervisors, but remains closed by the grace of God, some very concerned neighbors, Councilman Hal Bernson, the City Council and the far-sighted Board of Zoning Appeals. Unknown to many, Sunshine Canyon is not in the "affluent" area of Granada Hills, but rather in the less affluent area of Sylmar, in the northeast San Fernando Valley where residents have the privilege of claiming at least 49 past and present landfills, including Lopez Canyon.
