Money and power have preempted morals and ethics. That’s why I’m happily surprised when I find someone like Linda Parks running for office.

Linda has demonstrated again and again that she cares about preserving a high quality of life for Ventura County’s residents and about their safety and security. She’s lived in supervisorial District 2 for many years, and her children attended school here.

She doesn’t accept contributions from special interests intent on “buying her vote.” Consequently, she’s not beholden to big money interests. How refreshing!

Additionally, she’s actively supported the police and fire departments, resulting in endorsements from their unions––even though she doesn’t accept contributions from any union.

She worked to keep the county solvent by helping to pass a balanced budget last year–without raising taxes. This led to increasing the county’s bond rating during a terrible recession that saw the state’s own bond rating decline.

Actions by her opponent, Audra Strickland, make me question her reasons for seeking office. She first decided to run for secretary of state. When that didn’t pan out, she decided to run for county treasurer. However, she didn’t meet the background criteria and so decided to run for county supervisor representing District 2.

Audra didn’t even live in District 2 and never has. She rented an apartment here only to run for office. This flip-flopping makes me wonder what and who does she really care about?

It seems she’ll run for anything that will keep her in the limelight and in a seat of power.

Her campaigns have been funded by the likes of Chevron, State Farm, tobacco companies, Boeing, etc., companies with special interests.

And, in previous campaigns, the Los Angeles Times exposed that she and her husband, Tony Strickland, funneled campaign money into each other’s consulting firms to boost their income via political donations.

These donations are supposed to be used for campaignrelated activities, not living expenses.

So, what and who does Audra Strickland stand for? To me, the answer clearly is, herself.
Gerry Williams
Thousand Oaks