Vote of Support for Valley College’s Lee

Since the Jan. 17 earthquake, all types of media have issued, printed, and talked to or about psychologists who have stressed the urgent need for affected Angelenos to return to normalcy. Cal State Northridge, the Los Angeles Unified School District, businesses, Caltrans, Metrolink and others have been praised for their efforts to speed our recovery.

The Times’ Feb. 11 article about a vote of no confidence for Los Angeles Valley College President Mary E. Lee by a majority of faculty led by Jack Sterk, speech instructor, seems to go against this current trend. To the best of my knowledge, the campus suffered small amounts of damage. Even the bookstore staff worked to get stock in order for an early opening.

While it may be a fact that many faculty and students suffered damage, a later return would probably not have solved these problems. Many of the quake-created damages will take months to repair.

Why does Sterk, a person in a leadership role, demean efforts to return his workplace to normal operations? How thankful those of us in the surrounding community are that Valley College was able to open so soon with minimal loss. The ability to continue helping students and community with its learning process is to be complimented and admired.

HOWARD FINK

Van Nuys