Lombardo Reacts to Gonzalez Letter

This letter is in response to Henry Gonzalez’ letter (“Gonzalez Disputes Lombardo Claim,” (Southeast/Long Beach sections, June 12). Mr. Gonzalez resented my statement: “If Mr. Gonzalez was up here (as a councilman) he would be screaming for the city to pay his legal fees.” I never said he would accept money from the city but it is my opinion he would be screaming for his legal rights to have his fees paid.

Oh yes, we all know how generous Mr. Gonzalez is. For six years our community has heard at least 100 times how Gonzalez gives all his money to charity. A truly generous person gives and forgets. Gonzalez gives and never lets anyone forget.

No one told me that part of my campaign expenses included hiring an attorney to defend me against a losing opponent. I ran a clean campaign, paid all my campaign debts and won by seven votes. I expected those who voted for me to get their votes into the clerk’s office or to the polls before 8 p.m. on election day, as the election code states. Our city clerk does not have a post office box. Was she expected to go to the post office on an absentee ballot search? For 23 years our city clerk never went to the post office looking for ballots. They have always been delivered by regular mail. Why should our city clerk go to the post office because Mr. Gonzalez happened to be in this election?

If Mr. Gonzalez cannot accept defeat and wants to change the postal laws and the election codes he should pay all the expenses to go to court. Gonzalez is the one responsible for incurring these expenses. Therefore, he should pay for it, not me and not the taxpayers.

DOROTHEA LOMBARDO

South Gate