Baxter Ward

I first met Baxter Ward when I was a high school student during his first campaign for supervisor. As you noted in "Baxter Ward, 82; Political Maverick" (obituary, Feb. 5), his memory and attention to detail were exceptional. He cared deeply about civic responsibility and public service and reminded me of my high school government teacher. It is certainly true that Ward believed large campaign contributions corrupted government. This was particularly true, he believed, with the Board of Supervisors because of the "invisible" nature of the institution.

I first met Baxter Ward when I was a high school student during his first campaign for supervisor. As you noted in "Baxter Ward, 82; Political Maverick" (obituary, Feb. 5), his memory and attention to detail were exceptional. He cared deeply about civic responsibility and public service and reminded me of my high school government teacher. It is certainly true that Ward believed large campaign contributions corrupted government. This was particularly true, he believed, with the Board of Supervisors because of the "invisible" nature of the institution.

Baxter Ward, the high-profile television anchor-cum-politician who served two terms on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors but failed twice in widely separated bids to become mayor of Los Angeles, died Monday. He was 82. Ward, who was a county supervisor from 1972 to 1980, died in a Kirkland, Wash., hospital two weeks after he was diagnosed with lung cancer, said his son, Torrey Ward.

Baxter Ward, the high-profile television anchor-cum-politician who served two terms on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors but failed twice in widely separated bids to become mayor of Los Angeles, died Monday. He was 82. Ward, who was a county supervisor from 1972 to 1980, died in a Kirkland, Wash., hospital two weeks after he was diagnosed with lung cancer, said his son, Torrey Ward.

Baxter Ward, the former Los Angeles County supervisor who developed a reputation as a maverick during his eight-year tenure, wants his old job back. At a press conference today, Ward is expected to announce that he will run in the June primary against Supervisor Mike Antonovich, the man who ousted him from office in 1980.

Baxter Ward, a former Los Angeles County supervisor and television newscaster, briefly returned to the spotlight this week, this time as an angry citizen demanding that the city repair damage he thinks it caused to his San Fernando Valley property during a public works project.

Former Los Angeles County Supervisor Baxter Ward signed up as a long-shot opponent to Mayor Tom Bradley on Saturday while potentially strong challengers entered three City Council races on the last day of filing for candidates in the April 11 Los Angeles municipal election.

"You know what Bob Hope says about politics," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich. " 'One day you're drinking champagne, the next day you're picking grapes.' There's no tenure." Antonovich had tenure when he was a Los Angeles high school teacher, but he gave it up for the risks of full-time politics.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich testified in court Wednesday that when he first moved into the office of former Supervisor Baxter Ward in 1980, he was surprised to discover that the file cabinets were empty--the subject of a bitter argument between the two men that has been going on for years. "The ones I looked at were empty," Antonovich said under questioning from his attorney, Kenneth Klein. "It had to be by Mr. Ward or at his direction."

The proceedings in San Fernando Superior Court on Thursday resembled more a political debate than a trial--a 1988 political debate. Even the judge and one of the participants, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, agreed. It was the climactic day of a trial that pitted Antonovich against former Supervisor Baxter Ward.

What a pleasure to hear it told "like it is"! I'm referring to the insightful and enjoyable interview with George Putnam, ("I Broadcast in My Spare Time," July 21). I remember sitting (probably too close!) to our tiny Emerson TV and listening intently to the dulcet tones of newscasters such as Putnam and Baxter Ward. And now I really miss them. These guys were no-nonsense reporters . Putnam is so right when he decries the million-dollar anchors. Can they remember the copy they'd just read?

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich on Friday won his third victory over former Supervisor Baxter Ward, this time in the courtroom. A San Fernando Superior Court jury took less than three hours to decide that Antonovich did not defame Ward during the 1988 election when Antonovich charged that Ward had removed or destroyed 5th District office files eight years earlier.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich on Friday won his third victory over former Supervisor Baxter Ward, this time in the courtroom. A San Fernando Superior Court jury took less than three hours to decide that Antonovich did not defame Ward during the 1988 election, when Antonovich charged that Ward had removed or destroyed 5th District office files eight years earlier.

The proceedings in San Fernando Superior Court on Thursday resembled more a political debate than a defamation trial--in fact, a 1988 political debate. Even the judge and one of the participants, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, agreed. It was the climactic day of a trial that pitted Antonovich against former Supervisor Baxter Ward. At issue was whether Ward had destroyed or removed the supervisorial office's files before Antonovich took office in 1980.

The proceedings in San Fernando Superior Court on Thursday resembled more a political debate than a trial--a 1988 political debate. Even the judge and one of the participants, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, agreed. It was the climactic day of a trial that pitted Antonovich against former Supervisor Baxter Ward.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich testified in court Wednesday that when he first moved into the office of former Supervisor Baxter Ward in 1980, he was surprised to discover that the file cabinets were empty--the subject of a bitter argument between the two men that has been going on for years. "The ones I looked at were empty," Antonovich said under questioning from his attorney, Kenneth Klein. "It had to be by Mr. Ward or at his direction."

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich on Friday won his third victory over former Supervisor Baxter Ward, this time in the courtroom. A San Fernando Superior Court jury took less than three hours to decide that Antonovich did not defame Ward during the 1988 election, when Antonovich charged that Ward had removed or destroyed 5th District office files eight years earlier.

What a pleasure to hear it told "like it is"! I'm referring to the insightful and enjoyable interview with George Putnam, ("I Broadcast in My Spare Time," July 21). I remember sitting (probably too close!) to our tiny Emerson TV and listening intently to the dulcet tones of newscasters such as Putnam and Baxter Ward. And now I really miss them. These guys were no-nonsense reporters . Putnam is so right when he decries the million-dollar anchors. Can they remember the copy they'd just read?

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich testified in court Wednesday that when he moved into the office of former Supervisor Baxter Ward in 1980, he was surprised to discover that the file cabinets were empty--the subject of a bitter argument between the two men that has been going on for years. Antonovich's assertion that Ward removed the files is the basis of a civil lawsuit being heard in San Fernando Superior Court, filed by Ward against Antonovich.