Remembering Baxter Ward

I first met Baxter Ward when I was a high school student during his first campaign for supervisor. As you noted in “Baxter Ward, 82; Political Maverick” (obituary, Feb. 5), his memory and attention to detail were exceptional. He cared deeply about civic responsibility and public service and reminded me of my high school government teacher.

It is certainly true that Ward believed large campaign contributions corrupted government. This was particularly true, he believed, with the Board of Supervisors because of the “invisible” nature of the institution. This view was, and still is, shared by many.

One interesting note that you didn’t mention. During his 1972 campaign, Ward vigorously spoke out against the use of punch-card ballots. He coined the term “hanging chads.” After considering the matter very carefully, he once told me that someday elections would turn on miscounted ballots resulting from the little cardboard pieces.

How prophetic, or as Ward would probably say, “indeed.”

Ben Rich

Chino Hills