You're in the Opinion - Meet our Letter Writers section

Leonard 'Pat' Stidham

Published online on Sunday, Apr. 19, 2009

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Age: 86

Occupation: Retired after 50 years; real estate, home building/sales, golf club manufacturing/sales, co-owner/manager retail golf stores in Visalia/Fresno, 1982-1989. Author/publisher softback book, "Off Course Golf ... The Total Story," 1995.

Hobbies: Golf, camping, fishing, reading/writing, "Letters To The Editor," surfing the Internet, dining out.

Bee reader since: 1951, 47-year subscriber while living in Valley.

How many letters: 25 since 2005.

Favorite topics: Politics, human rights (Bill of Rights), any controversial subjects.

Why do you write? To express beliefs in support of or disagreement with articles/letters/opinions in print or television media.

Education: Graduated 1940 from San Leandro High School; graduated 1945 from U.S. Army Air Corp Flight School, Frederick, Okla., as commissioned officer/military aircraft pilot. College equivalent, bachelor's degree.

Family: Married 64 years, one daughter, one son.

Political philosophy: Moderate/liberal Democrat. Believe in two-party system, would consider third-party support if viable and equal competitor. For present system to work, I believe it is usually in our best interests to support one's own party.

-- Compiled by Pam Rowse



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