Mailbag

They were in toxic shock that led to multiorgan failure. Many died despite Herculean efforts with surgery, even including hysterectomy, intravenous fluids, blood, antibiotics, hemodialysis and steroids in an attempt to reverse their downward course.

Passage of Proposition 4 would be a step backward to those days. A pregnant teenager, fearful of disclosure to her parents, will delay advising her parents of her condition. She may attempt to induce abortion by taking medication. Far worse, she or an accomplice might attempt to introduce a foreign body through her cervix into her uterine cavity.

Such desperate measures can infect the pregnancy and lead to the scenario as described above.

Vote no on Proposition 4.

HARRY K. ZIEL

Glendale

Safety net should not be in disrepair

It never ceases to amaze me how city spokesmen often highlight the prohibitive costs or the state of the economy when it comes to providing funds that go back to the community but never seems to raise that problem when they ask for incomprehensible salary increases for the top brass of the Glendale Management Assn.

A city attuned to the problems of its most vulnerable residents should do its utmost to ensure that the last safety net of families not be in disrepair.

Such is the case in providing shelter to women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

While we wait for the inevitable multi-million dollar, multi-consultant, multi-year program to rehabilitate and redesign the old Rockhaven sanatarium as a city historical park, the council should consider the use of buildings deemed habitable — Pines Cottage “C” and Oaks cottage “G” for families in dire need of temporary emergency shelter.

HERBERT MOLANO

Tujunga