The interpretation by Dan Kimber of the events surrounding John Drayman (“A voice rising to Drayman's defense,” April 15) is reminiscent, to me, of the Town Center (Americana at Brand) discussion I had with friends I regard highly, yet with whom I disagreed.
In both cases, the differences of opinion were inversely proportional to the exposure each of us had to the data. The toughest part in keeping an objective evaluation also lies in our willingness to challenge the favorable predisposition we may have toward someone we like, especially when we have invested our trust, reputation, money or effort in that person.
Like Kimber, I befriended Drayman and supported him for many years, including his two candidacies in 2005 and 2007. But I followed almost weekly Drayman’s actions at the City Council, Housing Authority, Redevelopment Agency and the budget study sessions. The differences between his public pronouncements and the actions he took as councilman opened up slowly to me.