Who are L.A.'s greatest? Give us some suggestions

Pardon me, but I'm stumped and I need your help.

A reader and adult-ed teacher named Tim Adams has just suggested a reader poll on "the most admirable Angelenos of all time."

Sure, a few people come to mind. Father Greg Boyle, for one. Philanthropist Dorothy Chandler, for sure. Peter Ueberroth?

But to be honest, I can think of far more contemptible people in Los Angeles history, and maybe next time we'll assemble a list of all-star carpetbaggers, hooligans and knaves. But today, I'm asking readers to nominate the region's all-time best do-gooders, mensches and sweethearts.

Adams told me he got the idea for a reader poll while reading former Times reporter Cecilia Rasmussen's book, "L.A. Unconventional." He said he was inspired by stories on Biddy Mason (a 19th-century slave who moved west and worked her way up to land owner and philanthropist) and Mother Cabrini (who started an orphanage, was a patron to immigrants and became the first U.S. citizen named as a Roman Catholic saint), among many others.

So I'll put down Mason and Cabrini as the first two nominees, and with that, the polls are open. Leave your vote in the comments below.

-- Steve Lopez

Comments

[Maggie Wilde]

Tom Bradley.

[Christian Bryant]

I have to vote for St. Frances Xavier Cabrini - my daughter was named after her to celebrate my wife's family, full of many recent immigrants and to honor my mother's side of the family, many of whom still visit their immigrant homes in West Virginia and Omaha, Nebraska. Mother Cabrini's story is one of hope, for both the secular and non-secular, and inspiration to everyone who cares about the person next to them, whether friend or stranger. And, as Saints go, this one deserved her canonization to the fullest. God bless.

[Dave]

Not the Mayor thats for sure.

[Liz Parker]

I vote for Zaid Gayle, Founder and Executive Director of Peace4Kids, a non-profit orgnization serving the foster care community of South Central Los Angeles:

http://www.peace4kids.org/team_member_show.php?artworkID=3

You can see the success of his efforts by reading up on 17-year old, George White, who has started his own advocacy program, Project Homebound, to raise awareness and effect change in the foster care system that leaves foster teens homeless when they age out of the system. Check out the website just launched by George and his supporters: www.projecthomebound.com.

[Dave]

Tom Bradley is dead hone, read the question WHO ARE not WHO WERE

[Robert Vanderet]

Warren Christopher; Tom Bradley; John Wooden;

[Monkus]

John Wooden

[Los Angeles since 1776]

Remember to take out your history books, L.A. is as old as the U.S.. PIO PICO, who opened the first high end hotel and french restaraunt in Los Angeles, paving the way to tourism fortunes, should definitely be on the list. The last "Mexican" governor of California, Pico was a prominent citizen - in the age of slavery, eventhough he was half black. A feat of Obamian proportions I would say. The Pico House is still standing on Olvera Street.

[alexandra]

Eli and Edythe Broad. Period. and Kobe Bryant, of course.

[EthnicAvenue.com]

1. Chick Hearn.

2. Vin Scully.

[J.A.]

Steven Sample, President of USC.

[R. Fleming]

Welton Beckett

[Los Angeles since 1776]

Another nomination, taken from the Angel City Press:

Don Benito Wilson (nee Benjamin Davis Wilson) is remembered as the namesake of Mount Wilson, but few know he was the second mayor of Los Angeles, that his landholdings become the sites of Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Riverside and more. As Captain Wilson, he fought to defend Los Angeles in the Mexican War of 1846-1847, was taken prisoner and almost executed. True to his roots, Wilson's grandson, General George S. Patton Jr., was a warrior and statesman who was born to defend his homeland. Historian Nat Read tells the amazing story of Don Benito, complete with vintage photos and illustrations.

Twenty-six State Senators divvy up the district that Benjamin Wilson once represented. As a Los Angeles County supervisor he oversaw a Los Angeles County that included what is today Orange, San Bernardino and Kern Counties. His Wilson College was the predecessor of the mighty University of Southern California. Many of the railroads he helped bring to Southern California still haul freight over the original rights of way that he helped determine. Southern California will perhaps never again see a person who made such a mark on so many different fields as Don Benito Wilson.

[Ed Garnett]

William Mulholland

[Dotty Parker]

Kenny Hahn
Zubin Mehta
Tommy Lasorda
Ronald Reagan
Steven Spielberg
John Wooden

[Jennie]

Warren Christopher

[John Hamilton]

Vin Scully

[Chris O'Sullivan]

Tom Bradley. Whence he came, only eight years after Watts. What would LA have been like if it kept reelecting Sam Yorty and his like. It was astonishing when he finally beat Yorty in '73 and counterpunched the old divisive race card strategy. Also, five terms at City Hall and was probably elected governor in 1982, yet conceded with grace. (Not just the infamous "Bradley effect" -- just how effective were all those voting machines in pro-Bradley areas during THAT cliffhanger of an election day? -- Foreshadowing of Florida 2000.). Honorable mentions to Dick Riordan for obvious reasons, Robert Towne for giving us "Chinatown"; Carey McWilliams for explaining how LA's "terrible beauty was born"; and, perhaps not so obvious, to Raymond Chandler, for giving LA a "noir-ish" identity other than the boring and tired Hollywood, sun and palms. All those cool places sprouting up in downtown can thank him. Now, where was I? Oh, yea, back to my gimlet.

[Peter]

The Neighborhood Activists of Los Angeles - the thousands and thousands of neighborhood leaders and community advocates who have stepped forward to make Los Angeles a better place over the past century. In a region filled with the apathetic and the uninvolved, these people have made our city better in millions of little (and not so little) ways. If it were not for these dedicated community leaders who volunteer their time, Los Angeles would have fallen apart years ago.

[Denise]

Dr. Seuss otherwise known as Ted Geisel.

[Suzanne Rico]

Jerry West. Nice person, great athlete, gives back to his community.

[RUJoking?!]

Defining the terms better might help.

If we're talking achievements then Walt Disney is on my list, as are Howard Hughes (aviation, studios, engineering), W. Shockley (transistor), Vinton Cerf (internet father), Jim Morrison (innovative singer) and others.

If this is a contest of people that gave away money try Eli Broad.

If this a contest of martyrs then Cabrini is a good choice, though I'm not sure she ever visited LA.

[Zygion]

I vote for Tom Bradley, Peter Uberroth and Father Greg Boyle

[Dick Reel]

Kenneth Hahn Sr.

[Sue Kamm.]

Roz Wyman.
Yvonne Brathwaite Burke.