Totten or Bamieh for District Attorney

I attended a debate at the Simi Valley Library featuring both candidates in the upcoming district attorney’s race. Both of the candidates began the debate very well, answering the questions very thoroughly and knowledgeably.

However, as the debate progressed, Greg Totten seemed to become desperate to gain the upper hand. He badmouthed some of Ronald Bamieh’s supporters, including our very own council member, Barbra Williamson. I felt really bad for Totten as he began to make accusation after accusation as to Bamieh’s supporters and so on.

Totten could have at least lost the debate with dignity, yet instead not only did he lose, but he lost poorly.

I for one will not be voting for someone who has to sink to such low levels to get votes. Totten should realize that he is hurting himself more than helping with all of this negative campaigning. For these reasons I will be voting for Bamieh on March 5, the last decent man in the election.

Jessica Self

Simi Valley

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If you want to know what kind of person Greg Totten is, listen to what he has done.

On Aug. 4, 1995, my husband, a Simi Valley police officer, was shot and killed while checking the welfare of a man who openly hated the police. In those few seconds my life was turned upside down. Over the next few years I endured not one, but two trials, which at times felt like a weight that I was never going to be able to rise above.

Although I am not a politician, or of a political background, I have been fortunate to meet and know many people in our local government. And through them have been given the chance to have my voice heard on many issues. Totten was one of those people.

In 1997 Deputy Dist. Atty. Pete Kosoris put Totten in touch with me. He asked if I wanted to make a difference. He invited me to go to Sacramento to tell my story. He personally set up appointments with representatives. Over a two-day period he escorted me through each appointment and sat with me as I spoke before our state Legislature supporting Senate Bill 1224 (mandating life without parole in certain officer-killing cases). Through those two days, Totten always had an optimistic view of the outcome, but never made any promises.

I have a great respect for this man, not just because of what he did, but because he never promised something that he could not deliver. He brought an open mind, ear and heart to me. I always felt that what I had to say mattered to him, and he gave it his full attention. So, regarding the issue of victims rights, Totten is a man of action.

When he took the time to escort me to Sacramento he did so on his own time. The only thing to be gained by this visit was to try to ensure the protection of law enforcement families, not only here in Ventura County, but throughout the state of California.

Perhaps my husband Michael Clark did not die in vain, for something good has come of it through the help of Totten. I would like to thank him for making a difference not only in my life but also in the life of my 7-year-old son Bayley. He made me feel that I made a difference, which allowed optimism to be bred of tragedy, for this I will always be grateful.

Gov. Pete Wilson signed Senate Bill 1224 into law in January of 1998.

Jenifer D. Clark

Moorpark