The Next L.A. / Reinventing Our Future : HEARING FROM OUR READERS

This special section is intended to spur debate about what residents of Los Angeles and the region can do to shape their future. In “The Next L.A.” we discuss some of the most critical issues facing Southern California and some of the innovative ideas that have been put forth to solve our most intractable problems. Now we’d like to hear from you.

If you would like to answer one or more of the questions below for possible publication in the Times, call TimesLink at 808-8463 and press the * key and the appropriate four-digit code. The TimesLink news and information service is available in the 213, 310, 714, 818 and 909 area codes. There is no charge for the call except for any local long-distance charges from your phone company. Please leave your comments by Tuesday night.

TRANSPORTATION

We must reduce the number of solo drivers if we want to alleviate our traffic crisis. Buses, diamond lanes, Metrolink, light rail and telecommuting are among the alternatives. Do you prefer one of these? If so, why? If not, do you favor other alternatives?

EDUCATION

How can we improve our schools to better prepare our graduates for the jobs in the next century. Do you believe bilingual education or smaller class sizes are what’s needed or are there other alternatives that will reverse the skyrocketing drop-out rate?

HEALTH CARE

With many hospitals damaged during the quake, the need for a better health-care delivery system is even more urgent than before. Do you think each home should be linked with a computerized 911 system? Should there be more super-hospitals, like the UCLA medical center, built to the strictest seismic codes? Do you have other ideas?

WORKPLACE

Many employees believe they are overworked and undervalued. Are companies too rigid about workplace rules such as hours you must work? Should companies have a system for rewarding diversity? Do you work from home? Would you like to? What other ideas do you have for improving the way we work?

HABITAT

Because of quakes, fires and floods are there part of this region where people simply should not be allowed to live? Are you prepared to pay more for buildings that can withstand quakes and other natural disasters? What do you think should be done to make our homes and offices safer?

PREPAREDNESS

Since science may never not ever be able to predict future-and esepecially deadly--earthquakes with precision, how should we prepare for the Big One? How much preparation is appropriate? Should more money be funneled into the science of seismology? Would you help pay for this? Should seismologists be given more power to tell you where we can and can’t live?

COMMUNITY

Los Angeles is the most ethnically diverse city in the nation, but it is also one of the most fractured racially. What are some ways people can connect on racial and ethnic lines and also be pursuaded to get involved in their neighborhoods?

ECONOMY

Los Angeles’ industrial base has been eroded by the decline of the defense industry, regulations that hamper business and other economic changes. In what ways can Los Angeles preserve its industrial base in the face of profound economic change? What steps should be taken to make the region’s economy more competitive? How can investment be better channeled into our neighborhoods and businesses?

GOVERNING

Different communities have different needs. What steps should goverment take to be more responsive to the citizens of Los Angeles? Ideas put forward include giving neighborhoods more power and imposing campaign spending limits on candidates. Do you agree with these ideas? Are do you have other recommendations?