Once Again, Passing the Political Football

Let’s get real, Councilman Hernandez, about the NFL-in-Los-Angeles issue, which I know is difficult for a politician with an agenda. You and Mark Ridley-Thomas are clearly only representing your constituents . . . and yourselves. Try to stay with me:

Parking space: Nonexistent around the Coliseum, not counting $20 garages and front yards. Ever been to a Charger pregame celebration featuring barbecues and parties in the parking lot? Kind of enhances the event for the fans . . . remember them?

Congratulations on forcing Peter O’Malley out of the picture, a move that completely negates any credibility you or your arguments might have.

Oh, yes, have a great time at the Coliseum while you wait for that winner . . . with the other 37,000 hearty fans.

SCOTT TOWLE

Palos Verdes Estates

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Councilman Hernandez, The Times’ writers may need a dictionary, but you need some basic understanding of economics.

First, in your world, a football team comes to L.A. and makes available 80,000 overpriced tickets to a Sunday afternoon that includes overpriced food. Lots of supply, little demand from the select few who can afford the tab.

Second, restaurateurs and others are supposed to invest in an area that will bring eight pro games and six college games, maybe 12, to a renovated Coliseum. A total of 20 days out of 365 where most of them will come to the restaurants for a choice parking spot rather than buying food. Lots of supply, little demand (Clipper games included) for the other 345 days.

Lastly, exactly where are you getting your information? Who are these ticket-buying fans that will create the demand to support a pro football team, winner or loser? You and fellow Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas may have some $10,000 checks lying around for luxury box commitments to show the NFL officials, but could you cash those checks today?

BOB ARRANAGA JR.

Pasadena

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T.J. Simers should leave the decision to place a team in the new Coliseum up to the NFL owners. We finally possess a united effort to bring pro football back to L.A. within the decade.

The Exposition Park area has no more crime than any football stadium area in America on Sunday. I have attended football games at the Coliseum for 40 years and have always felt safe. Human beings who count on the few dollars made from parking cars, ushering and tending concession stands are disappointed by the untrue references made about their neighborhood by Mr. Simers.

WINSTON BARKER

Los Angeles

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I read both Councilman Hernandez’s letter to The Times regarding the NFL in Los Angeles and T.J. Simers’ profile of Councilman Ridley-Thomas’ efforts with respect to an NFL team for Los Angeles. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Both Councilman Hernandez and Councilman Ridley-Thomas fail to recognize the fact that the mayor’s office and the City Council have supported an absentee ownership group’s suspect plan to modernize the Coliseum to the detriment of the O’Malley family’s plan to create a state-of-the-art baseball and football facility.

The direct effect of the City Council’s effort is to further entrench a group of out-of-town owners and chase away a Los Angeles institution. I laugh at the City Council’s arrogance and I cry because I know that the Dodger games I will attend with my son will be nothing like the games I attended with my father and grandfather.

GARY ROSENFELD

Manhattan Beach

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Thank you for making the reason for the City Council’s impotence at getting L.A. an NFL team clear. What sense does it make to have Councilman Ridley-Thomas--an avowed sports hater, a person who didn’t have the guts to last more than a day of high school football--in charge of the effort? Why is it that the L.A. sports scene has been so affected by the actions of people like Ridley-Thomas, Goldberg and Hernandez, to whom any sort of sport or exercise is obviously foreign?

BRIAN LEAHY

Los Angeles