Water District Election

* Re “Water Board Directors Accused of Buying Win,” Nov. 6.

Out of 285 seats statewide, nine candidates did not agree to abide by voluntary spending limits. Three of these were challengers to new, hard-working incumbents in this small water district. They were the only candidates statewide to exceed these limits.

As of October, the incumbents were outspent by special-interest funding at a rate of six to one. The predictable glossy hit pieces arrived. Paid phone bankers called voters as many as five times each. Misinformation about the district and incumbents was repeated continuously. Big money, fancy packaging and distortions won once again. Voters cared not about the motives of candidates or whether they had complied with campaign reform.

The biggest loser, however, was the Newhall County Water District, [which] suffered an undeserved attack on its public image.

A political system that rewards special-interest spending, negative polemics and falsehoods with victory at the ballot box does not serve our democracy well. We must find an answer to campaign reform that really works before it’s too late.

LYNNE PLAMBECK

Newhall

Editor’s note: Plambeck was among the incumbents defeated in the Nov. 4 election.