Controversy Over SCAQMD and Lents

With respect to the May 14 column by Robert Jones (“Air War”), Jones misses the real reason why half of the SCAQMD governing board voted not to renew the contract of Executive Officer James Lents.

Simply stated, many of the cities in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties have felt ignored by the staff of the district for many years.

Effective July 1, the Antelope Valley will be a new air pollution control district, having pursued legislation to break away from the SCAQMD and form its own air body with local officials on the governing board. This was brought about in large part by the fact that Antelope Valley businesses had to live with rules that were adopted based on emissions generated nearer to downtown L.A., and district management’s disregard of both this fact and of the region as a whole.

Jones erroneously characterizes the change in philosophy of the district as “dancing to a business tune when it comes to air pollution,” when in fact the SCAQMD has moved away from a dictatorial approach to rule adoption that eliminated jobs and chased businesses out of the region, to one that uses incentives and a common-sense approach to foster new technologies and approaches to reducing emissions. This turnabout is the result of a change in the membership of the board, which harangued Lents and his deputies until they were dragged into reality.

FRANK C. ROBERTS

Mayor, Lancaster

* Having read your May 10 article regarding action by the board of the SCAQMD not to renew the contract of Lents, I am compelled to offer a perspective on behalf of the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators (STAPPA) and the Assn. of Local Air Pollution Control Officials (ALAPCO)--the two national associations representing all state and local air pollution control programs in the country.

Lents is a truly special individual. He is extraordinarily smart, scrupulously professional, unfailingly credible and highly respected throughout the country as a dedicated man of principle. Moreover, his diligent efforts to seek creative ways to achieve those improvements while still allowing the Los Angeles area to thrive economically are unparalleled. The fact that these efforts have been proven successful are a testimony to Jim’s wisdom and vision and a boon not only to the breathing public of Southern California but to the business community as well.

A decision to dismiss Lents appears to send a message that Los Angeles is no place for a tireless public servant with an unwavering desire to deliver clean, healthful air.

S. WILLIAM BECKER

Executive Director of STAPPA

and ALAPCO, Washington