I had the pleasure of visiting dear friends who reside in the East Hills community. Well manicured and attended to, the neighborhood is desirable to visit, and I suspect reside in.

My friends received a summons for some real or imagined violation and were armed with facts to plead their case. As a defender of causes, I had planned to accompany them. Much to my chagrin and incredulity, the administrators and enforcers of local jurisdictional issues don't seem to be calendar savvy. I fully understand the need to schedule events a year in advance. I do the same thing. However, there are and should be exceptions, particularly when court was scheduled to be convened on Sept. 11.

While the world and specifically New Yorkers girded to honor the anniversary of the terrorist attack of a year ago, surely local governance could have been suspected for the day to honor those lost, specifically from within this community. Shame on you!

I arrived with my friends in time to meet the appointed hearing. After waiting to gain entry through the security checkpoint, we were informed that "court" had been cancelled due to loss of electricity. Maybe it was the wind or divine intervention. In any event, we were able to make it to a candle lighting ceremony.

Yes, I believe in rules and regulations. However, under the circumstances, the people who rule East Hills could have shown a great deal of humanity by scheduling their evening of business the day before, or after Sept. 11. It is even sadder to note that your local paper hailed the events to be held on that day.

Gail A. Paparian

Banning, CA