Roberti Story Missed Points

In its reporting on our lawsuit to prevent the listing of David Roberti’s name on the ballot (“Judge Says Roberti Can Run in 20th,” Times Valley Edition March 12), The Times has revealed what it is--a rag that kisses up to powerful incumbents.

While you went out of your way to mention Roberti and his reactions, you blacked out--yet again--the names of the four candidates who were participants in the lawsuit: Myself, Dolores White, Bill Dominguez and Ted August.

Not only did the story omit essential information, it misreported the facts. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that residency requirements for federal office are unconstitutional because the requirements for officeholders are stated in the Constitution. However, the Supreme Court has firmly upheld state office residency requirements, most notably New Hampshire’s seven-year requirement, which John Sununu unsuccessfully challenged a few years ago.

Technically, the judge who denied our appeal may have been correct. The California Constitution does state that the Legislature shall determine the eligibility of its members to be seated. However, the California Constitution is abundantly clear on its one-year residency requirement.

What is not so clear is whether the Legislature has the fortitude to uphold that Constitution and to refuse to seat a powerful member like David Roberti.

JOHN VERNON, Van Nuys. Vernon is a Libertarian Party candidate for the 20th District State Senate seat.