Extra Letters: Efren Carrillo

Silent supervisors

EDITOR: True, Efren Carrillo was an up and coming star on the political circuit, a voice for the Hispanic community and a contender for Sacramento. Young people looked to him as a role model and an achiever. Also, innocent until proven guilty still holds true in the court of law.

But 3:30 a.m. in your tidy whiteys, socks and a cellphone, a ripped screen on a woman's window and 911 calls to the cops for help does not look good, not matter who you are.

We now see groups of people saying he should resign for various reasons, but why did we not see one supervisor just make the obvious statement that it was time for Carrillo to step down for the best of all involved ("Supervisors speak out," Tuesday)?

BARRY COMERFORD

Windsor

Wait to hear more

EDITOR: I like Efren Carrillo. I should say I still like him.

I've voted every election since 1964, registered either Republican or Libertarian, never voting for a Democrat. But Carrillo could get my vote. I've seen him actively participating in the community and making himself available to his constituents. Maybe it was just coincidence, but at none of these events did I see any other member of the Board of Supervisors. They may have been present or at events I didn't attend.

I saw a person genuinely interested in the needs of his constituents, wanting to be involved and aware of what's going on in the community. In recent months, my view has evolved toward possibly voting for him. Like everyone, I was shocked to see the headlines.

I know people affected by alcohol to act out in juvenile, even infantile, ways. And thinking of the politicians in both parties who have misbehaved lately while entirely sober, my resolve not to judge early or harshly is reinforced.

I don't agree with his notion of using tax dollars to compete with PG&E. But the entire board has taken leave of its senses on that one. I'll wait to hear more.

RON FENTON

Santa Rosa

Carrillo's fall

EDITOR: I, too, am disgusted by Efren Carrillo's behavior. Innocent until proven guilty is the law of the land, but whether he is guilty of criminal behavior, his personal behavior is with what I take umbrage.

When he ran for office, I was impressed that he went door-to-door in my neighborhood seeking support. I answered my doorbell and invited him in, asked questions and was pleased by his answers. He had done his homework and knew what he was talking about. I thought he would bring some refreshing energy to the Board of Supervisors.

So is he entitled to get drunk, wander through the neighborhood in his underpants, carrying his phone, atone for it and resume where he left off? Please.

In my humble opinion, Carrillo blew his position as a supervisor and his future as a politician. Not that we hold our politicians to a higher standard but because what he did (or appeared to do) shows a lack of self-restraint, sound judgment, common decency, common sense and self-respect.

I think he should resign from the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors without further ado. What he does in the future should not be a position of political power.

KIMBRA St. MARTIN

Windsor