Bay Area Quake Aftermath and Freeway Safety

Deukmejian’s statement “To my knowledge, any request that we have received . . . for work relating to protection against seismic activity . . . has all been approved and authorized. Nothing has ever been turned down or denied� is completely irresponsible. Anyone who has been in any position of management knows that when the boss sets limits on the budget the lower levels will cut and pare their requests to fit what is decreed. Anyone who has the temerity to suggest an item over the budget must have an extremely good reason or suffer the consequences. It’s the old adage of shooting the messenger who brings bad news.

Deukmejian is responsible for the accelerated deterioration of our highway system which began before he took office. Even the best efforts of Caltrans and others may not have prevented all the destruction of the earthquake, but now is the time to review, redesign and rebuild. Let us find out what we have to do and what it will cost. Then we can figure out how to pay for it.

CARLYLE SMITH

Sun Valley