Toby Johnson cared about people
A statesman, not a politician
Re “He was a folksy, hands-on leader” (Our Region, Nov. 19): Thank you for your article describing Toby Johnson’s legacy to our community. Unfortunately, you erred in calling him a politician. Johnson was the last statesman Sacramento has had in Washington, D.C., the Capitol or local office.
Politicians care about voters, but Johnson cared about people. Politicians run from controversy, while Johnson voted the way he knew was right even if it was unpopular. Politicians staff out attending acrimonious meetings, but Johnson attended them all and took the good with the bad. Politicians care about getting re-elected, yet Johnson cared about people and his community and not about votes.
That is the definition of an extinct animal: the statesman.
J. Schneider, Sacramento
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This story was originally published November 20, 2014 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Toby Johnson cared about people."