Fallbrook and Rainbow have welcome new political allies in our battle against the quarry mining operation trying to invade our communities.

At the large Town Hall symposium Feb. 1 at FPUD, I found two candidates for office, Bob Hamilton running for Congress in our district 49, and Grey Frandsen, running for California assemblyman in our district 66.

I spoke with both, and am delighted to report both of these candidates strongly oppose the quarry mining operation on the northern edge of Fallbrook – and understandably so. They both have a vested interest in our communities: Hamilton lives in Fallbrook and Frandsen lives in Temecula.

Having local candidates who are fighting for us on local issues is most heartening, especially when both come with such high qualifications. I have been dismayed by the lack of interest, even opposition, of the present officeholders regarding the quarry.

Hamilton, whom I first met two years ago, has a folksy and easygoing nature, honed in the business world with a major corporation, working in many parts of Advertisement

[ Christ the King Lutheran Church ] Latin America and Europe. Why people of such high caliber finally locate to Fallbrook does not surprise us, knowing the special beauty and charms of our town.

Another thing that pleases me about Hamilton is his adamant support of our veterans. His opponent, Darrell Issa, has one of the worst voting records of any congressmen in California on veterans’ issues and benefits.

Hamilton, a former officer in the US Naval Reserves and a Vietnam War veteran, feels Issa has been recalcitrant in responding to the escalating medical and economic needs of our veterans. This a major issue for all of North County, with our large military population. He also states Issa should stop impeding healthcare programs, especially for our children.

Frandsen, quite a few years younger than Hamilton, is the fresh, young, energetic and brilliant representative we need in Sacramento. Frandsen graduated magna cum laude from UCLA and obtained his graduate degree in foreign policy at Johns Hopkins University.

I am delighted with both of these new Democratic candidates.

Joe Howard Crews