I'm writing in response to an article written July 19 by Nancy Needham ("Meeting tries to soothe anger over flier, class.")

I, too, was at the meeting at the Goebel Senior Center. The meeting was called in response to outrage in the community that a class so controversial regarding the Holocaust was allowed by Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) to be given by someone who had no credentials except a claim to be a liberator at a concentration camp and an obvious interest in religion.

I wasn't present at the class given by Mr. Bravos, but I might have understood his being a facilitator of such a class had he allowed discussion such as was presented on the flier instead of a discussion given mainly by Mr. Bravos. The anger of those in the community was the lack of preparation by CRPD which allowed this class to be given without knowing more about its contents and presentation.

They didn't do their homework.

Ms. Needham's article didn't address Andrea Koval's (Goebel Center director) remark to a concerned class member upon leaving the class, who, when asked how this was allowed to happen, answered that there are those who do not believe the Holocaust happened, which implies to me that she was spouting "freedom of speech," which really did not address the situation. I would have liked Ms. Needham to have asked Ms. Koval what she meant by her remark.

I was disappointed in Ms. Needham's article, which I felt was slanted more toward the CRPD's defense along with that of Mr. Bravos rather than presenting both views equally, leaving out much of what was said that offended people in the community. Mr. Bravos was unable to be present at the meeting, but quotes from an interview with him were given. I was confused by this and would have liked it to have been stated in the article where and when they were obtained. It would have made them more effective for me. (Editor's note: Needham interviewed Bravos on the phone before the CRPD meeting that discussed the flier and original meeting.)

In closing, I would like to commend Lizzie Benton, CRPD administrator, who stepped in at the end of the meeting and gave the most meaningful comments presented by CRPD when she apologized for her staff, offered no excuses and said what should have been said by Mr. Friedl, Mr. Wiley and Ms. Koval at the beginning of the meeting. Linda Kern Westlake Village