Santa Clarita Poll Appalling

I was surprised and appalled to read “Santa Clarita’s Wish List” July 11. Surely, you erred. It should have been in the View section, with the comics. Or perhaps in the Sunday edition’s Book Review section, under fiction.

In no way do 100 participants represent a cross-section of 150,000 or more residents of the Santa Clarita Valley. Further, I would guess that most participants have similar backgrounds as to income, aspirations, type of employment, business affiliations and shopping habits.

Many people I have talked to feel the article was insulting to the broad base of residents here, giving the appearance that we are a shallow-minded, self-centered people, unaware of the many real problems facing this community and the possibility of resolving those problems in a fair and meaningful manner.

It is appalling that among the names used to give credence to this article were the mayor, two council members and a city management employee--all of whom one would hope would have a better feel for the real needs of this valley.

Since neither Mayor Boyer nor Councilwoman Heidt are quoted in support of the poll results, it is difficult to determine if their names were in the story to support the outcome of the poll or to enhance the point that the people out here are a little wifty. If their names were used unknowingly, I hope they quickly and publicly disassociate themselves from the implied results.

C. RAYMOND HALLMAN

Santa Clarita