As a conservationist conservative, I am deeply concerned about the Cemex mine and Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon’s appearance of simple lip service to the matter.

He has time to sponsor legislation regarding ownership of big cats, and another bill to temporarily suspend a duty on mechanics’ work gloves but no time to stop the Cemex mine.

He also found time for fundraisers and a trip or two to the mountains with his lovely wife, or so the picture on his recent mailer indicates.

One can understand why he might not be quite as alarmed as those of us who actually live and work in the Santa Clarita Valley full time.

After all, since he’s in Washington, D.C., the impact of the mine on his quality of life would be virtually non-existent.

Of course, the rest of us won’t be so lucky.

Either Buck needs to change his priorities, or we need a new congressman.