Keeping Firms in L.A.

I read with interest Adela de la Torre’s column “Decent Wages for Economic Growth” (Commentary, Oct. 5). Without commenting on the principal thrust of the article, I would like to clarify a possible misimpression which De la Torre may have created in the first paragraph.

I am the president of the “Venice ceramics firm” referred to in that paragraph. Upon learning of Feltman-Langer’s need for an improved facility and our opportunities to relocate outside of Los Angeles, Mayor Richard Riordan called to offer the support of his staff in penetrating the bureaucratic maze so we could remain in Los Angeles.

While I am greatly flattered by the mayor’s personal attention to the Feltman-Langer Co., I know that his call to me was but one of hundreds he makes on a regular basis. It was not, as suggested by De la Torre, a one-shot personal appeal. The mayor’s personal intervention and the assistance of his staff are part of his administration’s long-term economic strategy for Los Angeles.

In the case of our company, the mayor’s assistance saved over 65 important jobs for Los Angeles, with more to come. As for minority involvement, what can I say? I am a woman and almost all of my employees have Spanish surnames.

JAN BELSON, President

Feltman-Langer Co.

Venice