Money, Morality and the Meadows

The controversial Saddleback Meadows development project has been heavily lobbied for by a political lobbyist, Frank Elfend, who has a long-term close relationship with Supervisor William G. Steiner. Elfend has not only been a heavy campaign contributor to Steiner over the past 10 years, but has recently raised funds for Supervisor Jim Silva.

On the other side of the issue is VerLyn Jensen, attorney and sometimes lobbyist, who represents St. Michael’s Abbey, opponents of this particular development. Jensen, like Elfend, is also raising campaign funds--for Silva. Silva was also the recipient of laundered contributions from employees of Aradi Ltd. [developers of Saddleback Meadows], for which Aradi was recently fined $14,000.

Under present law, lobbyists are allowed to make contributions and to raise funds for elected officials. Proposition 208, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, American Assn. of Retired Persons, and United We Stand America, will change this law and ban contributions from or arranged by lobbyists to those officials they are lobbying.

Because elected officials apparently can’t say no to lobbyists’ campaign funds, drastic measures have to be taken. In this case, we either elect officials with sufficient moral fortitude to resist the favors provided them by paid political lobbyists--and we all know how rare a politician that would be--or we lower the boom on the lobbyists.

SHIRLEY L. GRINDLE

Orange

* Re your editorials, “Steiner Should Sit This One Out” (Oct. 18) and “Access Path Paved With Money,” (Oct. 21):

What is wrong with giving someone who has a large business enterprise at stake “ample time to make their case”? On what does the Times base its assertion that “it is an advantage usually denied to residents who are unable to afford lobbyists or make donations . . .” and your conclusion that access to supervisors “depends on how much money someone donates to a campaign or on hiring a lobbyist”?

On behalf of the Orange County Public Affairs Assn., which represents over 200 professionals who work with (and for) governmental agencies, we object to your characterization. Government is difficult to deal with and businessmen and women have the right to utilize the expertise of governmental relations professionals.

Oftentimes, in pursuing an appropriate business opportunity, an entrepreneur is confronted by complex regulations, a hostile “not in my backyard” community reaction, and a cynical press. No wonder business owners facing such obstacles seek assistance from a staff or consulting lobbyists.

We understand it is fashionable to bash lobbyists these days and to assume the worst about elected officials, but you do a disservice to a legitimate profession as well as to elected officials in Orange County when you comment editorially from such a biased and cynical perspective.

SAMUEL A. ROTH

Co-Chair, OCPAA

Irvine