Sybert-Strickland Campaign

Republican hopeful Rich Sybert confessed to knocking down his opponent’s signs. He lied about it. He confessed when confronted with the fact that he had been videotaped committing the act.

Jeff Bennett, chief deputy in charge of investigations in the district attorney’s office, says they will not pursue misdemeanor charges against Sybert. Reason: The office “has concluded they did not have enough evidence.” And Mr. Bennett was quoted, according to The Times, because “Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury, a Republican, could not be reached for comment.”

Now I know the meaning of the expression, “That’s Rich.”

MARVIN PETAL, Oxnard

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I just received Rich Sybert’s brochure last week. The brochure promised that we could count on Sybert for “conservative values, innovative ideas.”

I was wondering: Is vandalism a conservative value or an innovative idea?

MICHAEL JAMESON, Oak Park

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As a former supporter of Rich Sybert in his previous congressional races, I was disgusted and outraged by his criminal vandalism of Tony Strickland’s campaign signs.

If such childish and desperate acts were not abhorrent enough, Sybert aggravated his crimes by lying about them. Even after confronted with the truth, Sybert cannot accept responsibility for his actions as a true Republican should, but instead, in a rather Clintonesque fashion, shows his utter lack of shame or remorse by alleging that he is a “victim” of stalking.

Well, Rich, perhaps if you refrained from sneaking around Moorpark Road destroying private property, you could avoid being watched. I had strongly considered supporting Sybert in this race because he was endorsed by Assemblyman Nao Takasugi, whom I greatly respect. However, in light of Sybert’s deplorable conduct, I have contacted the assemblyman’s office to urge him to withdraw his endorsement. I urge others to do the same.

We must expect and demand better from those who seek to be our leaders.

Please, Mr. Sybert, do the right thing for yourself, your family, your party and your district: Withdraw from this race and apologize for your actions.

MICHAEL D. PILLA, Westlake Village

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I was shocked and disappointed that candidates would stoop so low as to tear down signs and go chasing each other to film the dirty deed. How can a candidate, like Rich Sybert, continue to run for state Assembly on the Republican ticket when he vehemently denies tearing down campaign signs of his major Republican opponent, Tony Strickland, and then gets caught red-handed on video at 3 a.m.?

I am embarrassed for these two candidates. One stoops so low as to go out and tear down signs and the other follows candidates around in the middle of the night. What happened to clean campaigns focusing on the issues?

I would like your newspaper to consider endorsing an independent candidate, Michael Farris, for state Assembly, 37th District.

Even though he is a year older than Mr. Strickland, he has years of experience as a leader in a variety of organizations. He was chairman of the statewide Reform Party for two years, chair of the United We Stand Conejo Valley chapter, currently chair of the Presidential Nominations Committee, active in the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources initiative campaign, has a doctorate in geophysics and space physics from UCLA and is a life member of the Eagle Scout Assn.

Not only that, he belongs to a party that will not take PAC [political action committee] money, special-interest money or corporate money so that when he is elected he will not owe any special favors or have to answer to campaign contributors with any paybacks.

Thank goodness for open primaries because now I and every independent thinker can vote for the best person and not have to get stuck voting for their party in the upcoming primaries. Farris for Assembly is my choice. I am tired of dirty campaigns.

CLAUDIA PELLETIER, Thousand Oaks

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First Rich Sybert destroys someone’s property. Then he lies about it. I wouldn’t vote for someone like that.

And what about Tony Strickland? He’s so paranoid he is having people followed!

I’m casting my vote for Toni Young. Now she is someone I can vote for.

IRENE EAGLESTON, Camarillo