Controversy in Recall Aftermath

* It is not surprising that W. Snow Hume (Letters, June 19) objects to The Times publishing the commentary by Prof. Vince Buck on Fullerton’s recall election. Throughout the recall campaign, Mr. Hume complained whenever other newspapers published letters and articles that were not favorable to his cause.

His objection to The Times’ publishing of Prof. Buck’s article is that “the ordinary reader would guess that the column is an objective analysis. . . . “

Rubbish! Readers of The Times are well aware that the page opposite the editorial page is reserved for a variety of opinions. In fact, lest there be any doubt, the page is plainly labeled, in very bold type, “Commentary.”

One wonders if Mr. Hume’s dedication to the First Amendment is as strong as that of Justice Hugo Black, who observed: “An unconditional right to say what one pleases about public affairs is what I consider to be the minimum guarantee of the First Amendment.”

G.J. BROWN

Fullerton

* Fullerton’s recalled City Council members may get yet another chance to try to subvert the will of the people. Those council members’ first chance occurred when they couldn’t (persuade) 13,500 Fullerton voters not to sign the recall petitions and had to schedule a recall election. They lost again when more than 9,000 voters said “yes” to recall. Most of these city council members were elected with less than 6,000 votes.

Now they want another chance! They haven’t stepped down, it’s business as usual. This time they want to delay the recall election until the November general election. They will tell you it’s to save the cost of a special election, but they could have done that by resigning when they saw the 13,500 petition signatures (last) February. Could it be because they want to continue in office and ask the voters to again elect them or their allies in November? But this time it’s in a complex general election where there are many issues and candidates for high office on the ballot.

I guess they hope that a lot of people who are mostly concerned with voting for the governor, senator and other high profile issues and candidates will just vote for the incumbents for the city offices.

A third chance might change what you attended City Council meetings for in the summer of 1993, what you signed petitions for near year-end, and what you voted for in June, 1994. Remember, when you or your friends get fired, there’s never a second chance and certainly never a third!

HAL McDONNEL

Fullerton