Political favors

Dear Editor:For one group of photo-opportunistic local politicians to use their position and leverage to name a street after a like-minded living federal Representative, is simply a example of currying favor for quid-pro-quo. ("Mayor Wants to Name Street After Sen. Dianne Feinstein," 3/17/11) This wreaks of the sort of maneuvering, cronyism, back scratching, and abuse of trust and responsibility that could be expected in other cities, but should not darken ours. If any street in this City --- especially in the vicinity of its aerospace heritage --- needs a name, then it should take on one which signifies to future generations the accomplishments and sacrifices of those whose foresight and ingenuity brought forth that industry. The names that should come to mind are those of the brave and patriotic astronauts who were lost in our country's few disasters and also of those who made it all possible, such as E.M.Smith, Gerald Vultee, James "Dutch" Kindelberger, Lee Atwood, Dale Meyers. Long Beach had the right idea when they named the drilling islands after Grissom, White, Chaffee, and Freeman -- rather than Kennedy or Johnson. Downey should not drop below that level of respect by engaging in its own self-promotion by memorializing a living politician. Surely Steve Horn and his family would agree. -- Hugh T. Hoskins, Downey

********** Published: March 24, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 49