L.A. ARENA DEAL VEILED IN WALL OF SECRECY

          "Property development is not a nuclear secret.  So why
     is it that the city of Los Angeles signed a confidentiality
     agreement with the developers of the proposed downtown
     sports arena that prevents public scrutiny of the linchpin
     of the arena deal -- a guarantee that the basketball Lakers
     and hockey Kings will play there for 25 years?," asks Bill
     Boyarsky in his "The Spin" column in the L.A. TIMES. 
     Boyarsky writes, "I think such a confidentiality agreement
     is in direct conflict with the California Public records
     Act, which assures residents of access to state and local
     government records."  Boyarsky will submit a written request
     for copies of the Lakers and Kings contracts today. 
     Boyarsky: "I'm in favor of the arena, but such secrecy makes
     me wonder what's wrong with the deal" (L.A. TIMES, 6/30).