Business as a Constituent

Gaddi H. Vasquez, the newly appointed county supervisor, comes to office without the traditional campaign war chest filled with developers’ money. John Erskine, executive director of the Building Industry Assn. of Orange County, finds it necessary to remind the new 3rd District supervisor that “business is a part of the constituency, whether they are builders or airport interests or whatever else.”

Isn’t he really warning that business is the constituency--the only one that counts--the way to get elected?

When Ivan Boesky manipulated the stock market to ensure profit, we called it a crime. We don’t guarantee a profit in free enterprise. But the “free” enterprise in this county means free to pressure, intimidate, or manipulate.

Orange County developers have managed to take the risk out of capitalism. They are so used to business as usual that the new person who managed to get in office without their money has them worried.

Gaddi Vasquez has a chance to be a voice of reason, a vote for the unrepresented majority. Not just the voters of the 3rd District will be watching the voting record of Vasquez. There are people all over the county who would enjoy giving our small contributions to keep Gaddi an honest man.

TONI ISEMAN

Laguna Beach