Re: “Numbers in on Independent La Jolla,” (March 17, Page 1): As secessionist leader Greatrex said on March 9: “We have to get past the idea that La Jolla is snooty and just wants to get out.” La Jollan snootiness is not just an idea, it is a fact and is documented by 100 years of La Jolla history. It would take a book to record all the episodes of La Jollan snooty behavior. In a secessionist report: “Initial Fiscal Analysis of the Proposed Incorporation of La Jolla” the secessionists define “La Jolla” as all of ZIP code 92037 plus UCSD property in the 92093 and 92161 ZIP codes. A large portion of this area has been within the University City planning group’s jurisdiction since the founding of UCSD and University City in 1959 and was never considered part of La Jolla. In fact, La Jollans sued Scripps Memorial Hospital in 1963 for moving out of La Jolla to its current location, thereby breaking Ellen Browning Scripps’ trust. The judge ruled that “La Jolla is not a specific location but is an image in the minds of those living within the area.” When ZIP codes were introduced, the La Jolla 92037 ZIP code was gerrymandered to include Scripps Memorial Hospital to circumvent the lawsuit. When a university was proposed for San Diego, La Jollans were opposed to UCSD being built near La Jolla because it would bring Jewish professors and other “undesirables” to the area. The Board of Regents was reluctant to approve the location because of the persistence of anti-Semitism in La Jolla despite the 1948 Supreme Court decision outlawing enforcement of restrictive deed covenants based on race. The regents reluctance was overcome through the persistence of Roger Revelle, the Navy declaring Camp Matthews surplus and the donation of pueblo lots by the city of San Diego. For the secessionists to even consider incorporating these lands into their “City of La Jolla” is an insult to history and to the people of San Diego. — Richard Prutow, Ph.D., M.D. lives in University City.