Letters

Thursday, October 2, 1997

Letters

Athletic director deserves the boot

I have been an avid follower of UCLA sports for more than 25
years. I, for one, have grown tired of the constant soap opera that
the men’s basketball program has become.

How does the old proverb go? "A fish always rots from the top"?
UCLA’s storied program has been in constant turmoil since the Peter
Dalis era began. Bruin hoops has endured a 15-year image problem in
the eyes of the rest of the country. This has no doubt hurt
recruiting as well as disgraced the university. It all comes under
a lack of institutional control.

In addition, I urge someone to show me even one major
accomplishment inside the world of UCLA athletics that Peter Dalis
truly had a hand in. Jim Harrick won a national championship in
spite of the fact Dalis never made him feel welcome. Has UCLA
gotten that longed-for football stadium built? Has UCLA’s stature
in athletics improved? Last but not least, does anyone really
believe that Bruin men’s athletics have a television contract
worthy of their prominence?

It is time for a total house-cleaning inside the men’s athletic
department. Mr. Dalis, in the words of Al Gore, "It is time for you
to go."

I won’t even get into the softball probation!

Daniel Michael

Protect tenants from rent distress

The information on landlord-tenant work ("Do homework, know
rights before renting apartment," Sept. 22-25) is biased toward the
source – an apartment manager. It is also old, in terms of rent
controls.

I would tell a tenant that if they can avoid signing a lease, it
is to their advantage – if they are in a rent-controlled city such
as Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood or Beverly Hills. A
lease just gives owners reasons to evict when the provisions are
broken. No provisions, no eviction! And the tenant protections are
in the city statutes, if no exemption applies.

There is no 30-day notice-to-vacate eviction, even on a
month-to-month lease, in a rent-control jurisdiction.

In terms of the "strict laws" that control rent increases, that
is no longer the practice. State law has gone far in demolishing
local rent-control laws, and new methods of harassment are
flourishing. I represent a number of tenants being hounded out of
their homes in order for landlords to take advantage of the new
vacancy de-control.

I think you might consider doing another article warning your
readers about these tactics and the new law.

I represent both landlords and tenants (and teach Indian law at
Loyola).

Jack L. Schwartz

Attorney-At-Law