Answering Criticism

I believe Martha Zilm’s attempt to discredit me is really an effort to deflect criticisms of Maria VanderKolk and her Ahmanson Ranch development (Letters, Dec. 26).

Regarding her allegations of my personal life, in case anyone in Ventura County is really interested: I live in a 1,300-square-foot house; we moved to Agoura 15 years ago when my husband started a job in Westlake Village; we were trying to escape a long commute, not an environmental past; I drive a 14-year-old BMW and add about 6,000 miles per year to the only working car we now have.

Ms. Zilm, I am an average housewife who, approaching middle age, finds herself pregnant. The choice we made about this pregnancy is very personal and should have remained private. I make no apology for it. We expect to welcome our baby to the family sometime in April with open arms and lots of love. Unless he reads these nasty newspaper letters, he will never know that the value of his very being was ever questioned.

ROSIE McCABE, Agoura