I gleaned important information from Christine Fien's interview of Bill Smith, a politically-connected hopeful for president of MCC June 25).

Among other things, I learned that he's not a candidate - unless he becomes a candidate.

The problem with the interview, however, was its naiveté. Never once did the interviewer understand why the county Republicans are so hungrily chasing the MCC presidency. The reason, as all political organizations are aware, is something politely called political contributions.

In the extended MCC merry-go-round, money is not only the gold ring of politics; it's the cow mooing at the doorstep. MCC regularly awards millions of dollars in construction and other MCC contracts that are dispensed to favored contributors.

And you'll regularly find contractors, their families, and employees occupying tables at political fundraising dinners - but especially of the party of recent GOP chairman Steve Minarik.

MITCHELL KAIDY, BRIGHTON