Herschel Rosenthal

It is my hope that all who are cynical about politics and politicians had the chance to read state Sen. Herschel Rosenthal’s recent opinion piece (“24 Years of Change, Not All for the Better,” Sept. 6) about public service then and now.

From 1976-1979, I was privileged to serve then-Assemblyman Rosenthal as a student intern, then as a staff and legislative aide. Unlike most, I still have a great deal of respect for those, like Hersch Rosenthal, who engage in true public service. I’m certainly no saint, and as a trial lawyer since 1981, I’m sure I’ve fallen victim more than a few times to the type of discourse and lack of civility that so saddens the senator. But the person I am today is largely due to my experience working for Hersch. I’m proud that pro bono work and service to my profession just come naturally. I now serve as a public member on the state Respiratory Care Board, my desire to serve largely due to an interest in public service and state government that I clearly trace to the influence Rosenthal had on me.

I have yet to see much good come out of term limits and never more so than when good and decent people like Hersch have to step aside, despite the public’s desire to retain their services. Hersch describes a Legislature that bears little resemblance to the one he joined in 1974. The reason is obvious. No more Hersch Rosenthals.

GARY N. STERN, Granada Hills