Remapping Plans Flawed

Why is it reapportionment always seems to bring out the ugliest and most unseemly aspects of our public officials?

With acquiescence from the other county supervisors and the connivance of County Executive Richard Wittenberg and LAFCO Director Robert Braitman, Supervisor John Flynn has tried to geographically divide Latino interests to deny their potential electoral strength in this county. These same schemers again have divided the Ojai Valley communities of interest to stem any incipient political challenges that might coalesce from this politically fertile area.

As usual, Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks), ever the political anarchist, only sees reapportionment as another means to further upset the governance of our state. One can only hope that his constituents do the right thing soon and not wait for Proposition 140 to remove him from “public service.”

Finally, the opportunity for Ventura County to have another, more active congressman representing our interests in Washington should be cause for some rejoicing. But Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) seems to think we don’t deserve this because our county is not living up to his expectations for excessive growth.

Frankly, many now believe that the environmental degradation from this county’s past growth and development is already beyond our worst nightmares. Maybe Gallegly’s district can be grown right out of Ventura County.

NEIL A. MOYER, Ventura