My family lives in the shadow of Rocketdyne, where rocket engines had been tested for decades.

Today, it is clear that soil and groundwater in Simi Valley have been contaminated by perchlorates, a toxic compound used in rocket fuels.

While in the state Assembly, Hannah-Beth Jackson wrote a bill making it possible to monitor perchlorate contamination of Simi Valley's drinking water.

She worked with Democrats and Republicans alike to get that bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. Jackson worked to protect her community.

Yet a few Assembly members fought Hannah-Beth's bill. They chose not to protect their communities. Tony Strickland is one of them. He chose to protect the operators of Rocketdyne rather than the community that elected him.

One month ago my wife of 36 years was diagnosed with papillary thryoid cancer and will undergo surgery next week. This form of cancer is common where soil and drinking water is contaminated by perchlorate, and this fact has been known for many years.

Strickland knew this when he voted to keep the residents of Simi Valley in the dark about perchlorate contamination.

Now, Strickland wants us all to believe he will be the best choice to represent and protect our community. His record says different, that he's simply a politician looking for his next job.

Hannah-Beth Jackson's record says she's proven her worth as a dedicated public servant, and it's up to all of us to make sure she represents our community in Sacramento. Gary Selvaggio Santa Susana Knolls