Letters to the editor: Supervisor race; water board; District 4 forum; centrist president
Bill-de la Peña deserves vote
I have known Claudia Bill-de la Peña since we worked together on the original SOAR initiative in the 1990s. Since then, I have been continually impressed not only by her support of the environment but also her concern for people and her backing of business and fiscal responsibility.
So, it’s not surprising to see that Claudia is endorsed by a slew of national and state elected officials from our region. But maybe more importantly, she is endorsed by seven current or former members of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. These are people who actually know what the job entails and recognize Claudia’s ability to handle all aspects of it.
When you vote for Claudia Bill-de la Peña to be the next Supervisor for District 2, you can be sure the future of Ventura County will be in good hands.
Mark Burley, Santa Rosa Valley
Re-elect Hasan to water board
The United Water Conservation District plays an important role in managing sustainable water supplies in Ventura County. Mohammed Hasan serves on the Board of Directors for District 3 representing the Ventura area and is on the ballot for re-election in November. He has been an effective voice on United’s board.
I have known Mohammed for more than 30 years and am well aware of his experience as a civil engineer and water system manager. He has designed water system improvements throughout the county and has been applying his considerable knowledge and experience to United. Besides engineering, his generous public service extends to social, environmental, and educational causes.
His engineering voice on the United board provides an important perspective for their planning and deliberations. Voters in Ventura have the opportunity to re-elect Mohammed Hasan to the United board in November and should do so.
Phil White, Ojai
District 4 candidate forum
With the November election coming up and voters receiving their mail-in ballots in October, I’d like to thank the newspaper for listing the dates of the various candidate forums, both in person and via Zoom. Watching the candidates respond to questions is one of the best ways to really get a sense for where they stand on the issues. At the time of the listing however, one opportunity was omitted: The Susana Knolls Homeowners Association is hosting a forum between the two candidates for District 4 County Supervisor: Janice Parvin and Bernardo Perez.
While they are already participating in a forum in their hometown of Moorpark, this is an opportunity for Simi residents to meet the candidates in Simi Valley. You will be able to ask questions and meet them personally before and after the event. Everyone who wants to be an informed voter should plan to attend. Mark your calendar: Monday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m. The Old Knolls Fire Station, 1262 Cypress Street.
Susan Selvaggio, Simi Valley
Need centrist in White House
With the House and Senate up for grabs this November, the midterm election is appropriately getting the country’s serious attention. However, there are even bigger stakes for the nation when the 2024 presidential election comes into sharp focus.
President Biden would be 82 at the beginning of a second term if elected, and ex-President Trump is looking less and less likely to be the Republican’s 2024 nominee. If this premise is correct and the two aging leaders exit the stage, we run full force into the conundrum of our increasingly polarized political system. MAGA 2.0 candidates such as DeSantis, Cruz and others are too polarizing to be able to bring us together as a nation to face the daunting challenges ahead. Likewise, the progressive favorites such as Harris, Sanders and Warren are just as polarizing to those who align with the right.
My deeply held belief is that there is a need for a levelheaded, country-over-party centrist to step up and challenge the large numbers of common-sense centrists to reclaim their political power. I can only hope that center-right and center-left leaders with the experience, character, and tenacity to run for president will see this as a time in history to lean into our historically held preference for problem solving over political orthodoxy. The times we are in demand no less.
Robert Fraisse, Newbury Park
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letters: Supervisor race; water board; District 4 forum; centrist president
