Andy Caldwell’s anti-Sarah-Christie screed (“Remove Sarah Christie from the planning commission,” July 23) might be considered humorous were it not so blatantly self-serving.
Anyone who has followed Mr. Caldwell’s “career” knows that he has survived because he is a shameless shill for corporate agriculture, in a provincial sense, and a relentless pro-business mouthpiece, in a larger sense (he sure hasn’t made it on the basis of his mellifluous radio voice). Now he would have us believe that his interest in ousting Sarah Christie as a planning commissioner is due to her “bias.” As Larry Craig would say, let me be clear: Mr. Caldwell is not chagrined with Ms. Christie because of her bias; no, he is upset because she does not embody his bias.
Remember, Caldwell was on the sidelines cheering wildly over the past decade while Santa Maria overbuilt its way into foreclosure-driven oblivion. Never met a development he didn’t like, ol’ Andy boy.
Caldwell knows full well that the position of planning commissioner is a political appointment. When I elect a smart-growth county supervisor, I expect him or her to appoint a commissioner who reflects similar sensibilities. No one comes to any position without bias and Caldwell’s criticism of Ms. Christie is a shining example of that fact.
Andy’s blather may have fooled the rubes down Santa Maria way, but it won’t work in our university-nourished community. Fight on, Sarah. Butt out, Andy.
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 6, 2009.