Sen. Montoya and Politics

Anyone who passes final judgment on former state Sen. Joseph Montoya after his conviction should also look at the way he has pursued issues involving the poor people of his district. The image is in stark contrast to the one generated in the legal proceedings.

In our case, his efforts have been pivotal in a matter involving nearly 200 low-income apartment tenants who reside alongside the San Bernardino Freeway. We have long been waging a battle to get Caltrans to erect a freeway wall in front of our complex for both environmental and safety reasons. For months the transportation agency turned a deaf ear to our pleas.

When our tenants association first approached Sen. Montoya for help last November, he was then preoccupied with the preparation of his legal defense for his trial that was to start only a few weeks later. It would have been understandable if he had chosen not to give us his time.

Not only did he send a field representative to our press conference, but he also arranged to have Caltrans conduct long-sought noise testing. The upcoming results, which could lead to the wall, would not have been possible without his assistance. He never asked for anything in return.

The ultimate evaluation of Montoya’s integrity should lie in how well he has represented those in his district who do not have a strong voice. Based on that criterion, I have more respect for Montoya than other lawmakers elsewhere who make it a regular practice to ignore the poor on vital issues of statewide concern.

MICHAEL J. ROTSTAN

Alhambra