Mayor must not forget the elephants I wanted to clarify a glossed-over passage on animal welfare in “Villaraigosa at one year” (News, July 10). Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, for whom many voted in large part based on his campaign promises, told voters, “I have believed for some time that a zoo is not an appropriate place for an animal as large as an elephant.” After being elected, he allowed the city council to move ahead with expanding the Los Angeles Zoo’s elephant exhibit rather than pressing to have Gita, Billy and Ruby sent to a sanctuary, which would offer far more acreage and socialization for them than even the largest L.A. Zoo exhibit could. This decision proved fatal for Gita, who died recently at the zoo after showing signs of negligence. While I am glad that Villaraigosa is taking steps to improve animal services in Los Angeles, it is important to remember that this city is responsible for more than just companion animals. Some animals, such as elephants, simply don’t belong in zoos.
Eric Prescott UCLA alumnus, class of 1993
Farmers’ market deserves support The Westwood Farmers’ Market has reopened at the Veterans’ Garden in Brentwood, as Gilbert Quiñonez noted in “Farmers’ Market’s fresh location proves a rotten choice” (Viewpoint, July 10). As he says, everyone is optimistic about its return – except him. Quiñonez is right when he states that the location, farmers, parking and other features of the market are quite good. I am always flattered when people find markets I have organized to be “a part of the community.” When I organized the Westwood Village market many years ago, it took some time to grow into an important community institution. But now, although hard to accept, that market, which had seen a decline in recent years, is gone. Our goal in starting the new market is to give customers what they want – great food from the best farmers – with the additional twist of supporting the work of the Veterans’ Garden. Only two weeks old, the market has grown, and I share the farmers’ optimism that it will grow as people find the market in its beautiful setting with live music. There cannot be a market on every corner. There simply are not enough good, real farmers to go around. That makes the existing markets worth supporting. We want to make the market accessible and welcome suggestions and support. Perhaps UCLA could include the new market, just one day a week, in its van service to offer students and faculty a chance to support farmers and a healthy diet in one easy trip. We want to make the market easy to use and welcome suggestions and support. I hope you will all come out to support our work with the Vet’s Garden, the local community and family farmers at our slightly less accessible (but worth it) market site.
Mark Wall Manager, Westwood Farmers’ Market