I want to recommend a man I have known for many years for the Conejo Valley Unified School District's Board of Education, John Short. I first met him when I was a parent among many within Thousand Oaks Little League.

It wasn't long before his enthusiasm for our youth became apparent. This unique attribute in today's "what's in it for me" society is just one of the many outstanding characteristics that make him such a great addition to our school board.

John has the maturity, the wisdom, the diplomacy and the integrity that are basic parts of what we all used to know as the "American character." That character does still exist, but it is rarer than it used to be and is even more valuable today than it's ever been.

John Short has trained himself directly and professionally toward his ambition of being a highly successful and valuable businessman and leader. The wonderful part about John's ambition is that it is not simply about himself.

John wants to make a contribution to any company he works for, to his community, to his country and to his world. He has the unusual combination, I believe, of intelligence, perseverance, responsibility, loyalty and a strength that's born of his sincere and deeply rooted belief in God.

I have never seen anyone more potentially valuable to his community in stature and growth. I believe absolutely that John Short will succeed in everything he does and will fulfill his commitments to our youth. I ask that on Nov. 7 you tell our community that our school board deserves an official with that American character by voting for John Short.

Any community fortunate enough to have him as a member will look back in the future and remember with gratitude the day he became a part of their team. Scott Bramhall Thousand Oaks