Barry Groveman, 41st Assembly

Protecting and preserving our environment is the primary issue that I follow during local, state and federal elections. And for this reason, I'm supporting Barry Groveman in the 41st Assembly District race.

For over 20 years I have worked for cleaner air, serving as the project coordinator and a board member of the Coalition for Clean Air. In this capacity I worked with Barry, as he was the point person for the county's Toxics Enforcement Unit.

I have seen that Barry is a tireless, tenacious and effective worker.This man gets things done.

Never intimidated or discouraged by the complexity of issues, forthright in his questions and concerns and willing to take on corporate polluters and bureaucratic nonesense, Barry is the right person for the Assembly.

Join me and every coastal mayor in the 41st District in voting for Barry Groveman for Assembly. Sabrina Schiller, Pacific Palisades

Barry Groveman is that rare candidate who combines knowledge, integrity and passion with the ability to get something done. Looking at what he has accomplished in his own city as council member and mayor of Calabasas speaks volumes for his abilities to initiate good ideas and gain the respect of all he works with.

Would I have liked to have had a strong Republican candidate? Yes. A woman? Yes, again. But simply put, Barry Groveman is the best candidate for our California Assembly 41st District. Barry can help get around the bickering that has stopped a good many plans from becoming a reality. Philippa Klessig, Westlake Village City Council

I met Barry Groveman during his first year on the Calabasas City Council when he came to Calabasas High School to talk with the ASB class about the traffic around the high school. He did two things: shared his ideas with students and asked students to share their ideas with him. Barry didn't lecture us on what he planned to do, but instead wanted to know what would work best for the students concerning traffic by asking the people who know best, the students. I was impressed that a council member had taken the time to come to campus and talk with students.

Groveman took a risk on getting the city's secondhand smoke ordinance passed because it is a hot topic issue and could hurt his chances as winning just a much as it could help it.

I will be voting for Barry Groveman on June 5 because he looks for input from all citizens. I encourage all teens to vote for Groveman in this election. We need someone to support the adults who take the time to listen to our ideas. Margo Arnold, Calabasas

We want our friends and neighbors in the area to know more about the individual who wrote the mean-spirited diatribe in The Acorn last week.

Michael Harrison served one term on the Calabasas City Council before he was run out of town by 93 percent of the Calabasas voters in his re-election bid.

Our community rejected his angry outbursts, verbal abuse of the public and our fine city staff and intimidation tactics. The tone and false accusations in his letter are examples of why he is not suited for public office.

In contrast, we are supporting Barry Groveman because of his integrity, commitment to solving difficult problems and professionalism. Bob Hill, Marvin Lopata Former Calabasas mayors

Under the mayoral tenure of Barry Groveman, a dysfunctional city council has allowed, through apathy and lack of initiative, the forced displacement of nearly 800 apartment tenants with $250-$300 rent increases for their continued tenancy. So much for the preservation of "affordable housing" in Calabasas.

Anthony Pecoraro, Calabasas

The charges Michael Harrison makes against Groveman simply aren't true. As mayor, Barry Groveman made our city government more responsible, transparent and efficient. He is highly regarded by community, environmental and homeowner leaders. His Assembly candidacy is endorsed by all his city council colleagues and by former mayors.

Michael Harrison served one controversial term on the Calabasas City Council. While in office, he developed a regrettable habit of publicly berating and humiliating city employees, engaging in pointless vendettas against his council colleagues and insulting citizens who would appear before the council.

When Harrison ran for re-election, he was overwhelmingly rejected by the voters and turned out of office. Since none of his council colleagues could bring themselves to endorse his bid for re-election, he bears a grudge. Groveman is the current recipient of Harrison's animus since he is the only one of Harrison's former council colleagues now running for office.

I would urge all voters to look closely at the motives of those who, like Michael Harrison, throw mud and engage in personal smear attacks in this campaign.Marci Ronka, Calabasas

I am endorsing Barry Groveman to serve in the Assembly's 41st District. I have worked with him for months at a time on school projects that involved days, night and weekends of countless meetings. I have seen him skillfully listen and negotiate with homeowners, developers and city-school officials to bring closure to issues thought to be unsolvable.

From the Clean Water Act to the Secondary Smoke Act, Barry Groveman, as a private citizen, has already spearheaded and cowrote ground-breaking legislation that sets him head and shoulders above his opponents. Charlotte Meyer, Calabasas

After 37 years of teaching, I have learned to recognize intellect, character, conviction and the strength to pull it off.

I see this and more in Barry Groveman, and that's why I am voting for him for Assembly. He is dedicated to getting public education back on track and traffic moving in ways that are not just interesting, but inspiring.

Quite simply, he is a problem solver-and a people unifier. Allen Epstein, Pierce College