Jerry Zimmer

Hal Bernson states (June 16) that he would welcome a Phoenix House drug rehabilitation facility in his district. I would encourage him, based on his feelings, to make that a campaign promise the next time he runs for reelection. Let's see how Woodland Hills voters feel about a Phoenix House in their back yard. JERRY ZIMMER Lake View Terrace

As a resident of Lake View Terrace, I read with interest Hugo Martin's article Sept. 17 regarding the Phoenix House hearing ("Hearing Reviews Drug Care Center's Record"). I found his reporting to be biased and almost as appalling as the incidents of Phoenix House runaways climbing the fences into the yards of private residences in order to escape the facility. I ask Phoenix House to do the right thing, and that is to do whatever it takes to absolutely guarantee security to the neighbors of Phoenix House, without being forced by the hearing officer's recommendations.

Re: "Residents' Views Mixed on Lake View Terrace Incident" (Metro, March 8): I take offense at the sensational depictions of life in Lake View Terrace " . . . Where gang members and drug dealers play cat-and-mouse with police" and "horse ranches coexist with gangs and drugs." It is as though your reporter were saying that the unfortunate beating of Rodney King would occur here because of the conditions in Lake View Terrace. Lake View Terrace is an area in upward transition and the problems here are no worse than the problems elsewhere in Los Angeles.

Hal Bernson states (June 16) that he would welcome a Phoenix House drug rehabilitation facility in his district. I would encourage him, based on his feelings, to make that a campaign promise the next time he runs for reelection. Let's see how Woodland Hills voters feel about a Phoenix House in their back yard. JERRY ZIMMER Lake View Terrace

Gee, aren't those of us who live in the northeast San Fernando Valley lucky? We have the "promise" of the Bureau of Sanitation to close Lopez Canyon Landfill in 1995. We have the AQMD finally on our side. The city of Los Angeles is spending millions on public relations to placate us with trees and task force meetings. However, what does happen after 1995? Are there presently any new sites being considered or developed to replace Lopez Canyon? What happens if the proposed Elsmere Canyon dump falls through?

Regarding the Aug. 21 article on Lopez Canyon landfill, I have never read such a crock. On the one hand, we have the Air Quality Management District, which is suppose to make a decision based on health and safety factors regarding the surrounding communities. On the other hand, we have the city of Los Angeles clouding the issues and making predictions of so-called budget cuts and the piling up of garbage if Lopez Canyon landfill is closed. I hope the AQMD will not make the wrong decision based on city pressure, but call their bluff, so in my opinion we could all see how the Sanitation Department and the city has been lying to us. JERRY ZIMMER Lake View Terrace

As a resident of Lake View Terrace, I read with interest Hugo Martin's article Sept. 17 regarding the Phoenix House hearing ("Hearing Reviews Drug Care Center's Record"). I found his reporting to be biased and almost as appalling as the incidents of Phoenix House runaways climbing the fences into the yards of private residences in order to escape the facility. I ask Phoenix House to do the right thing, and that is to do whatever it takes to absolutely guarantee security to the neighbors of Phoenix House, without being forced by the hearing officer's recommendations.

An attorney representing Phoenix House said Tuesday that there is still a chance that the nonprofit corporation will proceed with plans to open a drug treatment center in Lake View Terrace, confirming neighbors' suspicions. "The situation isn't certain yet. . . . There is still a possibility we would continue with that site," said attorney Chris D. Ozeroff after the Los Angeles Board of Zoning Appeals granted a nine-week postponement of a hearing involving the project. Ozeroff's statement contradicted assurances made three weeks ago by a spokesman for the nonprofit corporation soon after former First Lady Nancy Reagan withdrew from the project.

Ventura Boulevard property owners Thursday condemned a plan aimed at controlling development over the next 20 years on the San Fernando Valley's "main street," saying the restrictions would ruin their land values. Residents responded that the plan was needed in order to protect them from overdevelopment, noise and gridlock traffic that is spilling into residential neighborhoods.

It's the place where black motorist Rodney G. King was savagely beaten by police. It's the site of the city's biggest dump, and residents complain bitterly about the landfill's dust and noise. Neighborhood groups are struggling to stop a drug rehabilitation center from opening there. These and other difficulties have given tiny Lake View Terrace a lot of attention recently, making it seem like a community that is at ground zero in the urban struggle.

Gee, aren't those of us who live in the northeast San Fernando Valley lucky? We have the "promise" of the Bureau of Sanitation to close Lopez Canyon Landfill in 1995. We have the AQMD finally on our side. The city of Los Angeles is spending millions on public relations to placate us with trees and task force meetings. However, what does happen after 1995? Are there presently any new sites being considered or developed to replace Lopez Canyon? What happens if the proposed Elsmere Canyon dump falls through?

Re: "Residents' Views Mixed on Lake View Terrace Incident" (Metro, March 8): I take offense at the sensational depictions of life in Lake View Terrace " . . . Where gang members and drug dealers play cat-and-mouse with police" and "horse ranches coexist with gangs and drugs." It is as though your reporter were saying that the unfortunate beating of Rodney King would occur here because of the conditions in Lake View Terrace. Lake View Terrace is an area in upward transition and the problems here are no worse than the problems elsewhere in Los Angeles.

Regarding the Aug. 21 article on Lopez Canyon landfill, I have never read such a crock. On the one hand, we have the Air Quality Management District, which is suppose to make a decision based on health and safety factors regarding the surrounding communities. On the other hand, we have the city of Los Angeles clouding the issues and making predictions of so-called budget cuts and the piling up of garbage if Lopez Canyon landfill is closed. I hope the AQMD will not make the wrong decision based on city pressure, but call their bluff, so in my opinion we could all see how the Sanitation Department and the city has been lying to us. JERRY ZIMMER Lake View Terrace

The obviously drunk woman staggered into the 7-Eleven store on Sunburst Street in Lake View Terrace, pulled a $5 bill from her coat and wordlessly placed it on the counter. Recognizing a regular customer, the clerk pulled a pint of liquor from below and handed over her change, even though selling alcohol to an intoxicated person is illegal. The incident, observed by police vice officers, was typical of the store's indifferent sales practices, according to residents and customers.