Gotch Maligned

In “Did Gotch Take the Wrong Plunge?” (April 19), it is stated that Councilman Mike Gotch was “reluctant” to fully commit himself to the Proposition A campaign in 1985. As chairman of San Diegans for Managed Growth--the organization that sponsored the proposition--and one who was very familiar with Gotch’s participation in the campaign, I was appalled by the statement.

Gotch was more than sympathetic to the cause of the initiative; he generously extended assistance, guidance and motivation to a group of political novices. And to my knowledge, he never had to be “prodded” into signing a fund-raising appeal. In fact, he attended several fund-raising events.

It should also be noted that Mike Gotch was the only council member to support Proposition A. The pro-development members opposed it; others lacked the courage to take a stand.

The article portrays Councilman Gotch in a light that is out of character with the person I know: a man of integrity who was committed to the cause of preserving the urban reserve, and in the process was willing to put his political career on the line.

DAVID KREITZER

San Diego