Balloons

In response to the story “Inflated Fad Often Has a Fearful Jolt” (Part I, Jan. 28):

That metallic balloons can damage power lines and cause power outages, as noted in George Stein’s article, are two more reasons why overhead utility lines and power poles should be eliminated. They are ugly, potentially lethal and susceptible to many kinds of damages and they make Southern California look ridiculously sleazy.

Undergrounding power lines is not an inexpensive task, but why must so much of the Los Angeles region be eternally slipshod and so far behind newer communities or cities like London and New York in the placement of power lines below ground and in the removal of wood poles from curb sides?

LAURA THOMAS

Cypress