Mailbag

Friends of Shoseian (Whispering Pine Teahouse) is a small group that supports and maintains the Japanese Teahouse in Brand Park. It has been in Brand Park since its arrival, in 1974, from Higashi-Osaka, Japan, a sister city of Glendale.

Recently, the Friends of Shoseian Teahouse and Friendship Garden were troubled by the article in your paper describing a group, headed by a rabbi, who went to celebrate the holiday of Rosh Hashana at the teahouse by feeding bread to the koi in the pond adjacent to the teahouse (“Casting off the year past,” Sept. 14).

Celebrating different religions, with certain activities at Shoseian Teahouse, is to be commended. However, feeding anything to the koi in the pond is a big no-no. Would you go to the zoo and give human food to the animals? Absolutely not! Bread, yeast, etc., can hurt and even kill the fish. In addition, it also upsets the ecosystem in the pond.

This article seems to encourage such seemingly harmless and “fun” behavior. At this time, only park employees are allowed to give the koi their special food.

Friends of Shoseian Teahouse is trying to maintain the beautiful Japanese-style teahouse, garden and pond area.

We would like to get the community more involved in helping to keep and protect this delicate area. Creating community awareness and involvement is very important, so future generations can enjoy Shoseian Teahouse and Friendship Garden.

JULIE BAGISH

Los Angeles

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bagish is chairwoman of Friends of Shoseian Teahouse.

Many superb ideas were presented Tuesday to correct and simplify the selection of members for boards and commissions (“Appointment process tweaked,” Thursday).

Here are some that would increase the transparency of the selection process, increase accountability and give councilmen the opportunity to direct the wishes of their constituents.

Every commission and board should have one member selected by each of the councilmen.

Each will serve for the length of the remaining term of the councilman who selected him/her. Upon election or reelection, the council member would have 30 days to make his/her choice; otherwise, a majority of council would make the selection. Boards or commissions with more than five members would then themselves select the additional members.