Reading between the lines of Mr. Witherspoon's third paragraph ("Money for memorial could be put to better use," letter, Acorn, July 17), apparently you express indifference toward the intended memorializing of the innocent rank and file people who perished in the World Trade Center destruction.

A lot of those people may not have been heroes by your narrow definition, but the attack was an act of war and the effects on all should not and cannot be forgotten.

I am in favor of a memorial for the Chatsworth tragedy, and, unlike you, I have already sent a contribution to the Acorn. What are you waiting for?

Are you holding the pothole repair as hostage so that you as an individual will receive benefit of "our taxpayer's dollars" before you contribute? Shame on you.

And finally, the city's request to use Federal CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding for the Chatsworth tragedy was indeed inappropriate. The restrictions and guidelines as to the use of those funds are quite clear as to serve and benefit certain economic levels of the community atlarge. The socalled bureaucrats are not to blame here. The city simply put a spin on the interpretation.

By the way, the city of Simi Valley's pothole repair hotline is (805) 583-6400. Why not enter this on your speed dial? Wayne Boyer Simi Valley