Congressional Campaign

* We who have lived in Simi Valley for our entire lives have watched a lot of change, from orchards and farmlands to houses and businesses.

When Elton Gallegly was our city councilman, and then our mayor, he was protective of our environment. He signed legislation to protect our hillsides and to designate the Tierra Rejada greenbelt that separates Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Moorpark.

In Congress, he negotiated for funding to study the watersheds of Calleguas Creek and Santa Clara River to make sure that the water runs clean for people and wildlife. He has convinced his colleagues of the need to study restoration of Mugu Lagoon. He has worked across party lines to decide about tearing down Matilija Dam so steelhead trout can spawn and our beaches can retain their sand.

Gallegly comes home to Ventura County every weekend, and he knows what is going on locally. Please join us in voting for Elton Gallegly on Nov. 7 so we can continue to have his fine environmental representation in Washington.

NEIL and PAT HAVENS

Simi Valley

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Michael Case understands the hardships that many seniors face when dealing with health care.

I feel fortunate that I needn’t rely on a health maintenance organization for my health care. Michael Case has championed measures dealing with HMOs like the patients’ bill of rights and a voluntary prescription drug benefit under Medicare.

The patients’ bill of rights has been stalled in Congress for some time. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) voted against it twice in 1998. This bill would ensure that doctors and their patients make health care choices based on need not profit for big HMOs.

Gallegly in his deceptive advertisements says he is for the patients’ bill of rights. That he listens and he cares. To which of his big contributors was he listening and caring when he was voting against the patients’ bill of rights?

A vote for Case is a vote to address the serious concerns of all Ventura County residents, including seniors.

MAXINE CULP

Ventura

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As someone named Case, it’s been kind of fun having someone with my last name running for congressman. But when I go to vote, I’m going to be one Case voting for Rep. Elton Gallegly.

He’s done a great job representing Ventura County, fighting for health care reform, quality education and paying down our national debt.

To me, it’s definitely an open-and-shut case.

MICHELLE CASE

Simi Valley

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In a recent mailer and TV ads, Michael Case expresses his concern that there are a lot of things we don’t know about Elton Gallegly’s voting record. In my case, his point was well taken. I found it most helpful to see this information so concisely presented.

I was delighted to see what a moral and upstanding man Rep. Gallegly really is. I agree with Gallegly’s stand that Roe v. Wade goes too far and I am glad to know that he opposes abortion in nearly all cases and yet has the balance to recognize that those victims of rape, incest or threat to a woman’s life (constituting less than 1% of all abortions) must have this option. I believe, just as I assume Gallegly does, in a woman’ s right to choose--until it involves another life. We, as women, have many responsible choices we can make such as birth control, abstinence or adoption, which do not result in the irresponsible taking of another human life.

I see in Case’s literature that Gallegly has been given a 92% rating from the National Right to Life and a 100% perfect rating from the Christian Coalition and was endorsed by the California Pro-Life Council. Good for them. Apparently they are also able to recognize his integrity and high moral ground. Planned Parenthood supports Case’s position, for obvious reasons.

I strongly encourage Michael Case to rethink his position on this fundamental issue and to realize that a majority of intelligent, educated, responsible women in this district hold a view much different than his and are seeking resolution.

NORMA ZUBER

Ventura

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As a lifelong Republican, I want to explain why I’m voting for Michael Case for Congress.

I expect that after 14 years a member of Congress should have some degree of accomplishment. But, after 14 years, Elton Gallegly is still a bit player. The heyday of immigration reform is over. The way Gallegly was ignored during the impeachment trial shows how little regard his colleagues have for him.

Case and I don’t agree on all the issues. But after hearing him speak and looking over his lifetime of accomplishments, I’ve decided I’d rather have an outstanding Democrat than a mediocre Republican representing me in Congress.

KYLE DILL

Simi Valley