‘Political Cronyism’ in Diamond Bar

Is Diamond Bar an almost perfect example of political cronyism? When the City Council had an opportunity to appoint a new member (the post being vacated when Paul V. Horcher was elected to the state Assembly), they decided not to approach any of the previous council candidates to offer the spot to them.

When they did make the appointment (of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Donald C. Nardella in December, 1990), the procedure gave the definite impression of having been a “done deal” before it even got started.

Nardella had already been appointed to a commission by one of the council members. The person selected has never stood for a publicly elected office in Diamond Bar, so no one knows if there is any public support for (him).

The appointed council person (Nardella) decides to run for legitimate election to the post and his campaign manager (Diane Forbing) just happens to be the wife of the council person that had Nardella appointed commissioner. This same council person also happens to be the current mayor of Diamond Bar (John Forbing). The mayor’s wife also edits the local paper, called The Windmill, and in the September issue makes sure her candidate (Nardella) has his picture in that paper four times.

This is why people are turning away from politics. They can see the move to place more and more power into fewer and fewer hands by the actions of “political insiders.” This surely exemplifies the “good old boy” networking that is destroying the credibility of our political system.

FRANK DURSA

Diamond Bar