A Dearth of Leadership Makes Federal Intervention Necessary

On behalf of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the oldest and largest Hispanic organization in the country, I am responding to The Times’ position on the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department against the city of Santa Paula.

In the editorial “Best Option: Vote” (April 9), The Times presented a rather simplistic solution for the voting rights issue facing Santa Paula by stating that the best option for resolving it is for citizens to exercise their right to vote. The opinion seems to be based on The Times’ idealistic concept of what the normal course of action would be in most communities. The method of governing practiced by the Santa Paula City Council majority, however, is far from what one would expect from elected officials in today’s society.

For several decades now, the Latino population in Santa Paula has, to a large extent, been excluded from the process in which public policy is proposed, developed and enacted. The city’s current leadership has focused on continuing to promote and practice exclusion of some citizens from the affairs of their city.

As we enter a new century, the only Hispanic council member is, by policy, prohibited from placing items on the public’s agenda for consideration or even discussion without the approval of a majority. There are some more troubling issues mostly hidden from public scrutiny.

There are significant questions as to how federal community development block grant funds are distributed and whether Santa Paula’s less affluent east side gets its fair share of those resources.

Also, many citizens feel that they are treated with hostility by both elected and appointed city officials.

Finally, the Ventura County district attorney is investigating whether a member of the City Council violated state conflict of interest laws.

It is evident to LULAC that there are serious matters that require the full attention of the City Council.

The League of United Latin American Citizens agrees with The Times that voter participation is a key issue. We believe the citizens of Santa Paula want to participate in the election process, and LULAC fully supports that. We also believe that the years of exclusion have diminished the will of many Latino citizens to participate.

Efforts by the community and LULAC to encourage true leadership by the City Council majority have not been successful. Perhaps the guidance and wisdom of a federal judge will finally convince the council members that they need to begin representing all of the citizens in the community they were sworn to serve.