Proper Credit to Hartmann

The proposal to allow the Chumash tribe to build 143 houses next to the town of Santa Ynez on the Triangle property was first floated by Joan Hartmann at the February 11 Tribe-County negotiations. I was there and heard both Hartmann and Porter speak.

Now, after several weeks have passed, why couldn’t Bruce Porter simply say he “supports” a good idea?

Porter’s grab for authorship politicizes a proposal that merits full consideration. Too bad.

Old-style politics of taking credit where none is due damages the chance to make this proposal work.

It also calls into question Bruce’s integrity. If he believes in the oath he took as a cadet at West Point, he should correct himself. He would be seen as an honorable man.

And, more importantly, be a part of the solution.