Development of Ahmanson Ranch

Re “Ahmanson Ranch Project,” letters, Aug. 29.

Wake up, Washington Mutual, and make the right decision by selling this ecological treasure as critically needed open space for the park-poor Los Angeles area!

Preserving Ahmanson Ranch as open space as it was zoned would provide around 20 miles of accessible hiking, biking and jogging trails. The ranch could continue to be available as a wilderness for filming and would help keep the film industry in West Valley. Historical scenes from “Gone With the Wind” were filmed here.

We ask that Washington Mutual decide not to continue this public-relations disaster and instead preserve the Ahmanson Ranch as irreplaceable parkland for generations of Californians to come.

JEANNE COPE

Oak Park

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Adrian Rodriguez, first vice president of Washington Mutual, tries to justify the development of the new Ahmanson City by using misleading verbiage.

Our communities will suffer health hazards and traffic nightmares. His traffic estimates are based on a flawed and outdated environmental impact report performed more than eight years ago. Washington Mutual will not have to live with the pollution and congestion its project would create.

It is time to settle this matter once and for all. Los Angeles County estimates on traffic far exceed Washington Mutual’s “dream figure.” The surrounding communities have a right to true facts about the Ahmanson City development. The health of our families and our quality of life are at stake. Not one shovel of earth should be moved until all serious questions about this project are answered by individuals other than those who stand to make a huge profit at our expense. A new, complete EIR must be performed.

JOE BEHAR

President,

West Valley Community Coalition

Woodland Hills