The Race for D.A.

In your article of Nov. 6 titled “Bamieh Ad Criticized by Rival in D.A. Race,” Mr. Bamieh alludes to Mr. Totten’s years of leadership as bureaucratic experience. If management of the district attorney’s office is considered bureaucratic, then I wonder why Mr. Bamieh wants to be the top bureaucrat?

The choice for voters is clear. The first candidate is Greg Totten, who was a veteran prosecutor long before Mr. Bamieh graduated from law school. After distinguishing himself by his leadership locally, Greg was chosen by the California District Attorneys Assn. to go to Sacramento to lead its statewide organization for several years. In recent years, Greg has been the choice of Michael Bradbury to assist him in leading the Ventura County district attorney’s office. The alternative is Ron Bamieh, who has demonstrated little, if any, leadership in the D.A.’s office and certainly none statewide. However, Mr. Bamieh does have a well-connected and affluent father who indicated in a recent news article that he will spend millions, if necessary, to get his son elected. Apparently this includes placing expensive prime-time media ads hosted by any politicians who may be in his father’s debt.

By voting for Greg, I believe the citizens of Ventura County will tell Mr. Bamieh (and his father) that our district attorney’s office is not for sale.

Richard Jimenez

Ventura