Hawthorne Backed

I support J.T. Hawthorne in his position as a member of the California Transportation Commission. That he operates a heavy-equipment distributorship and voted for the betterment of San Diego’s transportation system is not a conflict of interest (“Does Highway Official’s Business Pose Interest Conflict?” June 23).

First, Mr. Hawthorne has no control over who receives state transportation money or how those recipients choose to spend that money. While Mr. Hawthorne operates San Diego’s exclusive Caterpillar distributorship, there are no less than eight other heavy-equipment suppliers in San Diego.

Furthermore, the commission’s vote only affirms highway improvement proposals.

Second, while the Los Angeles Times boasts of conducting an analysis of state records to determine how many of Hawthorne’s customers were successful bidders of state projects (again, a process totally removed from Mr. Hawthorne’s influence), there is no mention of an analysis to determine if Mr. Hawthorne’s votes are dissimilar to the remainder of the nine-person commission.

I doubt that Mr. Hawthorne’s voting patterns, and therefore interests, are any different from the rest of the commission.

Third, Mr. Hawthorne votes to fund projects throughout California to provide a freeway system to meet the needs of the entire state.

Assuming that San Diego receives a similar amount in fiscal year 1986 as the $55.8 million it received this year, it means San Diego County will receive only 5.7% of the $975 million that the commission will allocate. This is not an inordinate amount of work to come to one of California’s fastest-growing counties. Clearly, San Diego has not received more work than is needed due to Mr. Hawthorne’s position as commissioner.

Mr. Hawthorne’s knowledge of San Diego County and its needs are invaluable to the Transportation Commission.

That he operates one of the best heavy-equipment dealerships in San Diego is no reason to single out Mr. Hawthorne for a conflict of interest.

Almost regardless of the business, all will benefit from a more-efficient transportation system. The $55.8 million Mr. Hawthorne helped to bring to San Diego generates many times that amount and benefits everyone.

RAY L. HUFFMAN

San Diego