Regarding Richard Rogero’s letter “E-Verify argument is all politics” (Simi Valley Acorn, Aug. 20), I agree with Mr. Rogero on the issue of political opportunism.

Political opportunism arose when Mayor Miller, who previously had given his endorsement to the chosen incumbent council candidate, attempted to discredit Mr. Huber under the guise of a duty to educate and inform the citizens of Simi Valley regarding E-Verify. Thank you for the education, but the correct information would have been nice.

Unfortunately, the spin does not stop with the E- Verify story. After the city was “shocked and disappointed” to discover that Farmers Insurance was leaving town, the city announced plans to create a “Red Team” to address local business issues and determine ways for local business and the city to work together.

Could this be the same Red Team Mr. Huber spoke of during his press conference on Feb. 8 and again with Mike Chandler (votesimivalley.com) on April 28? Or is this another “E-Verify,” something the city had planned to do all along?

I strongly believe the city would not have considered the implementation of E-Verify (even on a trial basis) but for Mr. Huber’s involvement.

We owe our thanks to Mr. Huber for bringing to light the issue of a Red Team composed of members of the Chamber of Commerce, city bankers and other community professionals to address the needs of local business throughout our community.

Whether or not Farmers Insurance would have stayed had a Red Team been in place is anyone’s guess, but one thing is for sure— had a Red Team been in place, the city would not have been as “shocked and disappointed” to learn of their departure. It reminds me of Guardian Products, who also left Simi Valley for greener pastures years ago.

I would have hoped our city leaders would have learned something since then.
Bill Bettis
Simi Valley