Mayor defends Moreno Valley

Re “Barbershop aftershocks,” editorial, April 10

I must respond to your editorial about Moreno Valley’s actions in the wake of inspections of African American-owned barbershops in our city.

We did indeed respond to the community’s concerns about the inspections. The mayor at the time was Bill Batey, who is African American. Immediately after the barbershops were inspected, Mayor Batey met with the Moreno Valley Black Chamber of Commerce president. What’s more, letters were mailed to every barbershop and cosmetology shop in Moreno Valley inviting owner/operators to a public meeting where the mayor answered questions and addressed barbers’ concerns.

Of the approximately 100 people invited to this meeting, about 18 attended. Although they were invited, none of those involved in the recent lawsuit came.

Moreno Valley is a diverse city and is richer because of it. We value the cooperative relationships we maintain among all of the ethnic groups in our city. Our City Council and various boards and commissions reflect our diversity in their membership.

Your editorial left the wrong impression about our city.

Richard A. Stewart

Moreno Valley

The writer is the mayor of Moreno Valley.