Antonovich Unjustly Criticized for Copter Use

* We have a difference of opinion with recent media criticism that chastised our supervisor, Mike Antonovich, for using a county helicopter to attend a meeting to lobby for the expansion of California 138.

This transportation meeting in Irvine occurred on a board meeting day, creating a scheduling conflict that, were it not for the use of the helicopter, would have prevented the supervisor’s attendance.

California 138 has been called one of the most dangerous highways in the state, and as the 1994 earthquake proved, a very necessary transportation corridor for our economic region.

We are proud of the fact that Supervisor Antonovich was able to attend the transportation meeting to lobby on our behalf. We know that many take potshots at elected officials in these recessionary times. We also know that it is now more important than ever that government utilize the most cost-effective methods possible to maximize productivity.

As constituents that live in northern Los Angeles County, located more than 60 miles from our seat of government, we applaud our supervisor’s willingness to overcome this distance problem by utilizing alternative means of transportation.

GARY FISCHER

Lancaster

Fischer is chairman of the Lancaster Economic Development Corp .