Poizner-Ruskin Poizner-Ruskin (October 27, 2004)

Vote Ruskin to protect environment

Editor:

All of us who support protecting California's environment have been fortunate to have strong political leadership on the Peninsula for many decades.

Ira Ruskin will follow in the grand environmental tradition of legislators like Byron Sher and Joe Simitian, tempering each decision with an analysis of its effect on the local and state environment.

For example, as a Redwood City Council member, Ruskin supported Bair Island Open Space Preserve and the closing of levees on the new Preserve. He also helped create a successful city-state partnership to rid local sloughs of squatters and derelict boats, eliminating a toxic problem in waterways leading to the Bay.

David Smernoff and Cindy Russell
Foxwood Road, Portola Valley

Poizner okay with other GOP donations

Editor:

While billionaire Steve Poizner constantly criticizes Ira Ruskin for accepting group campaign donations, I don't remember Poizner criticizing any of his fellow Republican candidates in California for accepting such money.

Nor does he criticize Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is now accepting many of the kind of donations he once scorned while he was campaigning. Poizner has not pledged to refuse special interest group money if elected. That is the most important point he has left unanswered.

Ann Foster
Redwood City

Environmentalists back Ruskin

Editor:

Along with the Sierra Club and other environmental groups, I'm supporting Ira Ruskin. Ira is a seasoned leader who will immediately be effective in Sacramento.

One example: recognizing that Peninsula residents depend on the aging Hetch-Hetchy system for much of our water supply, Ira headed the Committee on Regional Water Reliability, bringing together local government and business leaders from the Peninsula and South Bay. Although the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission held control over Hetch-Hetchy, Ira strategized with these local leaders and legislators in Sacramento to pass AB 1823, mandating repair of the Hetch-Hetchy system.

Debbie Mytels
Palo Alto

Suspicious of Chronicle backing Poizner

Editor:

The San Francisco Chronicle's endorsement of Steve Poizner over Ira Ruskin for the 21st State Assembly seat reads more like a back room deal:

"Hey guys -- we gotta pick one Republican in some race -- how about this rich man who says he's been a teacher -- that's popular -- over this squeaky-clean hard- working nut named Ruskin? That O.K.?"

Mr. Poizner's claim that he would be a fiercely independent Republican member in Sacramento reminds many voters of an old song and it seems to me I've heard that song before.

Trish Hooper
Portola Road, Portola Valley

School official likes Poizner

Editor:

As president of the Menlo Park City School District during last year's state budget crisis, I saw first-hand the impact our local legislators can have on our schools.

Gray Davis' administration had proposed to confiscate local property taxes amounting to funding cuts of 25 percent and more for many area schools. If not for the great work done by our current Assembly member Joe Simitian, many schools in our area would have been forced to lay off massive numbers of teachers.

We desperately need more capable and committed moderates who will take on the extremists in both parties, and do what's right for public education. That is why many local school board members, regardless of party affiliation, are strongly supporting Steve Poizner for State Assembly.

Terry Thygesen
San Mateo Drive, Menlo Park

What to do with blitz of Poizner flyers

Editor:

Since early July my mail has been filled with fliers from Republican Steve Poizner's campaign, which proclaim his advocacy for God, country and motherhood.

I am a strong advocate for a woman's right to choose whether to continue a pregnancy or not, and the Republicans have a strong plank in their party's platform calling for the outlawing of abortion. I looked in vain in these early fliers for any indication of Mr. Poizner's position on this issue.

I was rather surprised to receive a flier in the mail with the banner headline "Steve Poizner is pro-choice." Upon further perusal of this flier I learned that it was sent out in response to literature from Ira Ruskin, Mr. Poizner's Democratic opponent, implying that Mr. Poizner was not pro-choice.

Although I am glad that both candidates are pro-choice, I gather from visiting Mr. Poizner's Web site that women's reproductive rights are a low priority item for him.

It is essential that we choose candidates who regard maintaining women's reproductive rights as their highest priority.

Narcinda R. Lerner
Stadler Drive, Woodside

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