Every now and then the universe provides gifts one would never ask for. Imagine my glee when I received two in one week. The first was a gift of laughter upon reading Supervisor Bill Horn's ballot statement for the March 2002 primary. The second was an e-mail from Supervisor Horn's Communications Director & Policy Advisor Trudy K. Thomas. Obviously Santa had decided I had been a very good boy in 2001.

The seventh bullet on Mr. Horn's ballot statement states; "Bill Horn has a vision to enhance quality of life. By ensuring affordable housing, reducing traffic, protecting the environment, and preserving the cleanest air in the state, he's making the region a healthier place to live."

After catching my breath, picking myself up off the floor, and wiping the tears from my eyes, it occurred to me that one man's delusion can be another man's source of amusement. The audacity of Bill Horn to define his brand of pavement politics, as anything closely related to environmental protection, is not only comical but bordering on the criminal. Talk about gross misrepresentation.

Supervisor Horn is to environmental sustainability, what napalm was to Vietnam. In the past year Mr. Horn has rejected calls for sound environmental planning along the LOSSAN rail corridor, proposed a new freeway through San Pasqual Valley, and suggested highway 76 be relocated into the San Luis Rey River flood plan as a way of improving access to the proposed Gregory Canyon Landfill, and accommodating Casino traffic at projected build out.

As for Supervisor Horn's commitment to affordable housing, reducing traffic, and clean air, let's just say the mutual brown-nosing between the Building Industry Association and Mr. Horn guarantees none of these are possible as long as the rape and pillage mentality continues to dominate north San Diego County politics. Hopefully, Mr. Horn misjudged the willingness of Rancho Santa Fe and Fairbanks Ranch voter's to suffer boorish fools, when it means overcrowded conditions and a diminished quality of life.

The second gift from Supervisor Horn came in the form of an 84 word holiday greeting which was followed by a 126 word "CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE" declaiming responsibility for the previous 84 words. It's got to tell you something when the confidentiality notice is longer than the politically correct holiday greeting.

Not exactly threatening, the disclaimer at the end of Horn's holiday humbug included the following legal double speak. "The information contained in this communication is confidential and maybe legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful."

It is hard to imagine voters would reelect Bill Horn when he has yet to grasp the fact that he is a public employee. Let's face it folks, Bill Horn is only looking out for himself and the profit margin of development interests he is working for.

How I got on Supervisor Horn's mailing list is a mystery. Suffice it to say I am more than willing to share his many miscommunications with those who have the power to topple the Boss Hog of San Diego politics, in favor of public minded elected official not addicted to the graft of growth and scorched earth politics.