To the editor: In addition to other commissions, Mayor Karen Bass plans to eliminate the health -focused citizens' commission, of which I am the president (“Bass proposes to dismiss around 1,650 workers in the city, including a quarter of civilians at the LAPD”, “ April 21). No mayor, including Bass, has never financed the health committee – created by an order from the city in 2014 – a penny. It works with volunteer commissioners and unpaid research partners. In justice with her, two LAPD uniform officers attend protection meetings as well as audiovisual technology, a city lawyer and a city clerk employee, so there could be minor savings. But these sous will never be added up to $ 1 billion.
Doesn't the mayor think that being educated and informed of health problems is important? There are costs associated with public relations. In 2023 she extended his public relations department. Here is a suggestion for our mayor of photography: get rid of most of your public relations staff and save serious money. Alternatively, resign and save the city a salary north of $ 300,000, plus the advantages.
Howard C. Mandel, Los Angeles
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To the editor: The layoffs offered by Bass of nearly 1,650 workers in the city are concern because these decisions directly affect the health of the communities. Fewer public workers are reflected in fewer people supporting food access programs, mental health services, housing resources and other essential needs that shape long-term well-being.
As a public health student at UC Berkeley, I learned how economic security, housing and access to public services are social determinants of health. This budget is likely to worsen existing health disparities in Los Angeles by removing the very infrastructure intended to support vulnerable populations.
Health is not only a matter of treatment; It is also a question of preventing the conditions which lead to a crisis. When we reduce the people who held these systems together, we create the emergencies that we later have trouble solving. Budget balancing should not occur at the cost of people's well-being.
Easha Narayanan, Bay granite, California.
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To the editor: As a taxpayer, I support a government of the responsible city and its work to manage budgets. I find that the layoffs offered are a disappointing and lazy tax movement. I encourage the government to be more thoughtful and take a look at the application of more aggressive fines for accelerating vehicles and emanates from red lights and stops of the panels, which benefited other major American cities.
Christopher Sherwood, Woodland Hills
