CVSEN reply to Rominger/Dimock SF Chron op-ed Feb. 11

Central Valley Safe Environment Network
P.O. Box 64
Merced CA 95341
CVSEN@sbcglobal.net
CVSEN.com
 
Central Valley Safe Environment Network reply to Rominger/Dimock op-ed in SF Chronicle, Feb. 11
 
Central Valley Safe Environment Network (CVSEN) is a coalition of grassroots groups that has defended environmental, social and economic justice in the San Joaquin Valley for 25 years, built largely on the principles of organization of Saul Alinksy in Chicago.
CVSEN is outraged by the smear of Lloyd Carter by Richard Rominger and Michael Dimock in the San Francisco Chronicle on Feb. 11.
Rominger and Dimock wrote in part:
 
"Even more disturbing is that rising emotion over water is sparking hostility. Last Thursday in Fresno, a representative of the California Water Impact Network told a television reporter during a debate that saving farmworkers' jobs is a mistake because they are the "least educated people in America ... they turn to lives of crime, they go on welfare, go into drug trafficking ...." This is this blatantly racist, and evokes images of Europe in the 1930s and '40s." --http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/11/EDKB15RJ1M.DTL&type=printable
Richard Rominger is the former secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture.  Michael R. Dimock is president of Roots of Change, a collaborative supporting development of a sustainable food system in California.
Transcribed by the illiterate Fox Fresno TV outlet, what Carter said roughly (you have to imagine the grammar and spelling):
"...Their not even American citizens for starters. Do you think we should employ illegal aliens? What parent raises their child to be a farm worker? These kids are the least education people in America or the southwest corner of this Valley. They turn to lives of crime. They go on welfare. They get into drug trafficking and they join gangs," Carter said shockingly." -- http://www.kmph.com/Global/story.asp?S=9792222&nav=menu612_7
Shortly, afterwards, Carter sincerely and fully apologized for his overly generalized comments on social conditions in the poorest congressional district in the nation.
Rominger and Dimock’s insinuation and smear are over the top.
Central Valley Safe Environment Network
 
MISSION STATEMENT
 
Central Valley Safe Environment Network is a coalition of organizations and individuals throughout the San Joaquin Valley that is committed to the concept of "Eco-Justice" -- the ecological defense of the natural resources and the people. To that end it is committed to the stewardship, and protection of the resources of the greater San Joaquin Valley, including air and water quality, the preservation of agricultural land, and the protection of wildlife and its habitat. In serving as a community resource and being action-oriented, CVSEN desires to continue to assure there will be a safe food chain, efficient use of natural resources and a healthy environment. CVSEN is also committed to public education regarding these various issues and it is committed to ensuring governmental compliance with federal and state law. CVSEN is composed of farmers, ranchers, city dwellers, environmentalists, ethnic, political,and religious groups, and other stakeholders.
 
P.O. Box 64
Merced CA 95341
CVSEN@sbcglobal.net
CVSEN.com