SOUNDING OFF:

This letter, directed toward Scott Baugh, chairman, Orange County Republican Central Committee, is a bipartisan effort on behalf of people who are members of both the Democratic and Republican parties.

While most of the nation listened to the leaders of our respective parties deliver words of respect for their opponent’s efforts, words of reconciliation, your words to fellow Republicans on election night were to attack Mayor Debbie Cook. You called her a “Communist.” You know her personally as a person of commitment and integrity, as a long-time, dedicated community leader. You know the accusation is false.

As the polls and political pundits digest the results of this election, the one issue upon which they all agree is that the young people of this country turned out in record numbers to vote. We have a moral obligation to see that these young adults remain engaged in the political process. Nothing will turn that off quicker than mean-spirited attacks that are reminders of the politics of a bygone era of McCarthyism. We cannot move forward together if “politician” remains a dirty word.

Mr. Baugh, we ask you to step forward as a leader in the Republican party and initiate a beginning step of a new and bipartisan spirit.

We ask you that you make a public apology to Cook.

Submitted by the following: GRACE WINCHELL, former Huntington Beach mayor; CONNIE BOARDMAN, former Huntington Beach mayor; MARY URASHIMA; EILEEN MURPHY; DR. BOB WINCHELL; THE REV. CANNON CHARLES SACQUETY; MERLE MOSHIRI; MARGARENT SHANLEY; NANCY DONAVEN; MARGARET SHANLEY; FLOSSIE HORGAN; and THERESA SEARS.