Officials Ask Navy Chief to Tour Bases

Ventura County’s two congressmen have invited Navy Secretary John H. Dalton to tour the area’s two Navy bases for a firsthand view of their importance to the nation’s security and the local economy.

Reps. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) and Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Woodland Hills) sent a letter to Dalton earlier this week asking him to visit the Point Mugu and Port Hueneme bases early this month.

“Recent reports indicate that these facilities are being actively considered as part of the 1995 base closing process,” the congressmen wrote in a Nov. 29 letter. “We feel very strongly that, before making a decision to place these bases on your list, a tour would be appropriate and useful.”

A Navy spokesman said Dalton would have no immediate comment.

The congressmen also wrote that Southern California has suffered a disproportionate share of base closures and budget cuts in recent years.

“We urge you to visit these bases so that you can see firsthand the impact of further base closures to the already fragile economy in Southern California, which continues to lag behind other regions of the country in its economic recovery.”