'ONLY SOLUTION'

Mike Reynolds has a political TV ad in which he extols the "Three Strikes"
law that he "fathered." He states that because of "Three Strikes," 58,000
criminals have been taken off of the streets, making them safer.

The truth is that "Three Strikes," along with the Rockefeller drug law of
New York, is one of the two most regressive and punitive laws written in
our time.

Judges and criminologists throughout the country are voicing their
rejection of these types of laws and asking for their repeal for being
beyond the scope of justice.

Mr. Reynolds would rather use retribution at any cost. Intervention,
prevention and rehabilitation are the real cause of lower crime rates. This
is done at a fraction of the cost of keeping 58,000 incarcerated for long
periods of time - including life. The billions saved could be used to
refurbish our schools.

As our cities and county grow, we need representatives who understand the
problems and able to offer solutions.

Mr. Reynolds' only solution is the "Three Strikes" law, as all his ads and
interviews suggest.

Each of us will have to make our own decision when entering the voting
booth. After examining the candidates, I have decided to back Bob Waterston
as the most able to represent District 5 as supervisor.

Jess R. Rodarte, Fresno