Gallegos burdens citizens with bad choices
by Roy Comer, 5/18/2006
Examine just two of the culprits that District Attorney Paul Gallegos has aligned himself with and thus burdened the local citizenry.
Consider his alliance with Richard Salzman, his “former” campaign manager. Salzman perpetrated a crime last year, by submitting letters to the editor using other people’s name and false names.
Citing a conflict of interest, Gallegos sent the case to the Attorney General’s Office. The AG’s Office determined the case was not worth pursuing, stating it did “not believe it is a wise use of resources to attempt prosecution.”However, Salzman did violate a misdemeanor as defined in the California Penal Code.
Salzman has resurfaced to shoot himself in the foot yet again. Witnesses reported seeing him place anti-Arkley stickers on parking meters.
If a case is filed, Salzman will again be accused of violating the Penal Code. Yet again, Gallegos would have to appeal to the AG’s Office, citing the same conflict.
It appears that as long as Gallegos is the district attorney, Salzman can continue to violate misdemeanor laws and expect the same response from the AG. This is the same AG, Bill Lockyer, who has endorsed Gallegos.
Far more disturbing is Gallegos’ hiring of Tim Stoen. I recently located a New York Times article written Dec. 22, 1978. A former top aide of Jim Jones, Terri Buford, states that every violent, illegal or “reprehensible” act that he or members of his Peoples Temple undertook had been initiated or approved by Timothy O. Stoen. The article says Stoen, once a prosecutor in San Francisco, was the chief legal adviser to Mr. Jones.
Almost 30 years later, Stoen has walked away from the temple unscathed. His 5-year-old son was not as fortunate. Stoen abandoned his child and allowed him to be murdered in Jonestown on Nov. 18, 1978. There is no excuse for, nor forgiveness for, Stoen’s past behavior.
Paul Gallegos brought this monster into our midst and into our District Attorney’s Office. His utter lack of due diligence, by failing to look into Stoen’s background, is fear-provoking. Who knew what a frightening man he was? Gallegos had a responsibility to know. You decide; can you trust Paul Gallegos’ judgment?
On June 6 you will have the opportunity to vote for our “new” district attorney, Worth Dikeman. Worth possesses character, accountability, intelligence and honesty. He has a proven record of prosecuting criminal cases and leadership. In more than 20 years, he has not brought shame or divisiveness into our community. Join me in voting for Worth Dikeman.
(Roy Comer is a Eureka resident.)
Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved.
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