Web Changes - This is where we'll announce the most recent additions to our web site. 
If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look here first.

    There is a lot happening here in our community -  get involved !
    Here are the hot topics currently on the front burner!

A NEW YEAR BEGINS HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS!

August 11, 2006

Day of the Horse will be Presented on September 9, 2006 at Conejo Creek Equestrian Park

For more information call 805-494-8755

Download and print a flyer!

Click Here>
 

May 10, 2006
 

The City, Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD), Conejo Recreation and Parks District (CRPD) and developer Shapell Industries are exchanging property at the end of Rancho Conejo Boulevard, near the Baxter and United Parcel Systems (UPS) facilities and the City's Municipal Service Center.  The overall net financial results are; 

 

Costs

City of T.O. $2,657,967

Shapell       $1,886,690

Shapell   3.29 acre parcel

CVUSD  5.29 acre parcel

 

Proceeds

CVUSD $3,118,222

CRPD $1,426,435

City of TO 3.29 acre parcel

Shapell 5.29 acre parcel

 

A map on the staff report makes the property exchange more clear. ...

March 12, 2006

Oaks Mall Renovation Project Community Meetings Set

Residents are invited to attend these meetings and give opinions and ask questions.

The meetings are:

For more information contact: Julia B. Ladd, CSM Senior Manager, Property Management,
                                            The Oaks Shopping Center, 222 W. Hillcrest Drive,
                                            Thousand Oaks, CA,  91360

                                            or call: 805-495-4628.

January 16, 2006

It may be only January, but residents should remember the shenanigans of the City Council when election time rolls around!  The Thousand Oaks Acorn has reported the situation quite accurately in their January 12th edition.

NIH (Not Invented Here) is alive and breeding at City Hall!
Why listen to the residents?
WE know BETTER!

Editorial: Another reason to be angry as a voter in Thousand Oaks

The voters of Thousand Oaks have another reason to be angry this week. It turns out that the council majority isn’t even saving the city as much money as they thought on the special election that will never happen.

When council members Andy Fox, Dennis Gillette and Jacqui Irwin decided they knew better than the voters of Thousand Oaks who should replace former Councilmember Ed Masry, they thought they were saving the city between $178,00 and $250,000.

In their rush to name Masry’s replacement, they held an emergency meeting two days after he resigned.

Despite being advised by the city attorney that they had 30 days to decide whether to appoint or have an election, the council went full steam ahead.

After Councilmember Claudia Bill-de la Peńa suggested a special election, Irwin disagreed on grounds that the costs were excessive. (Despite $70 million in reserves, we couldn’t quite afford an election in Thousand Oaks.)

Council members Fox and Gillette remained mum and voted with Irwin, without comment, to appoint Masry’s replacement. The procedure smacked of deceit. The whole ordeal looked like it might have been a “done deal” before the meeting even convened.

Having made one horrendously bad decision, the council majority compounded it by allowing only seven days for applications. Only 11 days after robbing the people of an election, the council majority chose the man who will serve for three years on a seat that was given to him.

The council has saved our impoverished city either $150,000 (a special election in April) or $70,000 (had the election been combined with the June primary).

A final thought: we don’t question the abilities or dedication of Councilmember Tom Glancy, but he didn’t earn his seat from the voters of Thousand Oaks. It was handed to him.

Voters, however, will be heard in 11 months. In November they can show how they feel about appointees serving on their city council–when Fox and Gillette face reelection.

 - - - - - - - - - -

Special election costs provided to T.O. by county were too high
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

A special election in Thousand Oaks would have cost significantly less than the figures the city council considered last month in deciding to appoint rather than elect a replacement for the seat vacated by Ed Masry. The updated information was provided to the city the week an appointment was made, according to city officials.

Instead of the $178,000 the council was quoted and the $250,000 figure city staff came up with, the actual cost of a special election would run between $50,000 and $70,000 if held in conjunction with the June or November elections, or $150,000 if the city held its own, independent election.

Ventura County elections representatives provided some of the incorrect figures, according to Gene Browning, county assistant registrar of voters. Browning and the county’s election cost estimator were both in Sacramento on business at the time Thousand Oaks asked about special election fees.

“Somebody else did the best they could handling something they don’t usually handle,” Browning said. “There was some question because the city misconstrued the situation as if they were going to hold a special election on their own.”

One of the options the city had considered was holding an independent election in April using a private firm that staff estimated would cost $250,000. The corrected figure, provided by an independent elections company, is $150,000.

Under the updated fees, the city would hold its special election either with the June state primary at a cost of $65,000 to $70,000 or with the November general election at a cost of $50,000. The original incorrect figure was given as $178,000 if the election were held in June and $142,000 if held in November.

The original report was made on Dec. 2, the same day the council voted to appoint rather than elect a replacement. A corrected report was issued by the county on Dec. 13, according to Browning. That night the council met and chose Planning Commission Chair Tom Glancy for the seat after interviewing 32 candidates. The city didn’t receive the updated information until the following day, Dec. 14, according to Interim City Clerk Linda Lawrence. Glancy was sworn in on Dec. 15.

The city clerk’s office provided the new figures to the city manager on Dec. 28, added Lawrence, and council members received the information after that. Mayor Dennis Gillette said he was given the new information last week.

Nancy Dillon, former city clerk who retired in December but who is temporarily working for the city on a part-time basis, said her office didn’t disseminate the information right away. an election

“We were reconfirming the dollars after there was a question,” Dillon said. “It just takes time to contact people and get the information back.”

Gillette said having the correct costs may have made him reconsider holding a special election.

“Cost was a considerable issue for me even though there are those who tried to trivialize its significance,” Gillette said. “I don’t know if there would have been a change in my vote.”

He also pointed out that the council had 30 days from Masry’s Nov. 30 resignation to make a decision on whether to appoint or elect.

“I based my decision on the information I had before me at the time,” Gillette said.

Councilmember Jacqui Irwin said she was disappointed with the county’s error in providing incorrect information. But she still expressed concern with the city’s finances.

“Thousand Oaks is dealing with spiraling public safety costs and still trying to replenish the emergency fund that the council voted to draw from a couple of months ago. Whereas the city is not in a poor financial position, it does have considerable future financial obligations (the teen center expansion, employee pension and medical liabilities, etc.) and is required to keep a minimum reserve level,” Irwin said. “We always need to be thoughtful about expending money and this is especially true as we transition into maintenance mode.”

Councilmember Claudia Billde la Peńa was the only council member to vote in favor of a special election. Neither she nor Councilmember Andy Fox returned phone messages left by the Thousand Oaks Acorn.

NOTE: Add an arrow to your quiver!
If you would like a copy of the above articles pick up a copy of the January 12th Acorn or print a copy of these articles by clicking on the following .pdf file.  January 12th Acorn Editorial and Article

January 10, 2006

The public knew it all along and told the City Council MAJORITY they were wrong!

But once again they (Fox, Irwin & Gillette) new better! 

The Ventura County Star reported today;

" Weeks after the Thousand Oaks City Council decided to appoint someone rather than hold an election to fill Councilman Ed Masry's seat, city officials now have new, lower cost estimates for such an election."

" Council members initially were presented with cost figures of perhaps more than $250,000, but the new estimates indicate costs could have dipped below $70,000 depending on timing of the election and other factors. "

" The new estimates were gathered after a council member asked for clarification on the cost, City Manager Scott Mitnick said. He would not disclose which council member made the request."

" Besides cost, the need for seeing the seat filled quickly and the role of elected officials as decision makers also were brought up by council members during a Dec. 2 meeting when the council voted 3-1 in favor of appointment. Claudia Bill-de la Pena cast the dissenting vote. "

To read he complete article by Jean Ortiz see: Election estimate comes in lot lower  in today's Ventura County Star.

January 8, 2006

Democracy in action - take a few minutes and give you opinion!

Want another school bond? Do nothing and that's what you'll get!

January 4, 2006

The following article from the Star today points out a reason Democracy in Thousand Oaks may have been pushed aside!

WHAT DO YOU THINK? 
            GIVE US YOUR OPINION!
Send an email to: webmaster

HISTORY
(Past chronology of News Items follows - If you would like to catch up!)

April 30, 2005
This past  couple of weeks the reigning FIG configuration (Fox, Irwin, Gillette) on the City Council have proven through their actions that the residents of Thousand Oaks are not the primary constituent base for this trio.

If you need convincing go to the GATCH-GATE Page and draw your own conclusions.

March 24, 2005

City Council approves Arts Festival support

March 24, 2005

The Thousand Oaks City Council approved up to $10,000 worth of support, including staff services and parking, for the Thousand Oaks Arts Festival.

The festival will be held for its second year in September.

Councilwoman Jacqui Irwin was chosen as the council representative for the festival.

City of Thousand Oaks adopts a NIH* attitude when it comes to supporting Local Art Festival!
Read all about in the Conejo Valley Art Museum newsletter.

*Not Invented Here

February 17, 2005

Comments on the DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (DEIR) No. 323, 

The Oaks Mall Renovation/Expansion. ON HOLD!
 

are due at the City by Tuesday, February 22, 2005.

Please go to the Oaks Mall page and read the latest information.

Then send you comments to the City.

January 25, 2005

There will be a general meeting of the Network on Tuesday, February 15, 2005

For complete information and details go the Meeting page on this web site.

January 24,2005

Subject: PRESS RELEASE and Flyer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2005

"RALLY TO SAVE OUR RANCH" SEEKS TO PROTECT BROOME RANCH AND ADJACENT PROPERTIES

THOUSAND OAKS –  Rally To Save Our Ranch, an advocacy group, has been formed by a group of local residents and equestrians who have joined together to promote the protection of the properties south of Lynn Road by Two Winds Ranch, commonly called Broome Ranch.  Three contiguous properties across from Dos Vientos Ranch all lie within the boundary of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and, without protections in place, have the threat of development looming over them.  The parcel on which Two Winds Ranch sits has been a bone of contention between open space advocates and those who believe the property should remain available for additional uses by the City of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Recreation and Park District who jointly own it.  The West Bay property owners have put all their properties in this area, except the acreage along Lynn Road, into Land Conservation Protection.  But their "protected" properties can easily become "unprotected" if they so choose.  "Site I" is designated for three home sites.
  
In July 2003, over one thousand residents, equestrians, and others signed a petition asking the City Council to protect these three properties.  No Council action has been taken other than a unanimous vote in November 2003 to keep the equestrian center at the Two Winds Ranch site and allocate $500,000 for its upgrade.  However, that vote is jeopardized by recent Council action.
  
Rally To Save Our Ranch is headed up by John Fonti, a board member of the homeowners association across from these properties and Sue Egan, an equestrian boarder at Two Winds Ranch.  They, and their group, believe that there is a mutual benefit in working together to ensure that no new development is allowed on the south side of Lynn Road, the boundary for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.  They also believe that by keeping an affordable equestrian center in the current location protects the residents of Dos Vientos Ranch, the equestrians who prefer a rustic center, and also the taxpayers of Thousand Oaks who feel that the City should not waste money developing an expensive equestrian center elsewhere on that property. 
 
“I haven’t met one person who says they want development south of Lynn Road.  Let's work together to ensure that Lynn Road becomes the line between development and open space.” says John Fonti.
 
Information:

John Fonti     
Phone:  805-376-6097
E-mail: john.fonti@adelphia.net

Click here for a .pdf copy to download!

TWO WINDS FLYER

City Council Reneges on Promise to Residents


In November, 2003, over 200 residents and equestrians showed up at the City Council meeting and the Council heard us loud and clear. They voted 5-0 to keep the Two Winds Equestrian Center where it is and allocate $500,000 for its upgrade.  The newspaper editorials praised the vote.  Councilman Gillette said: “It was democracy in action.”

Then, at 11:30 pm last Tuesday, with no residents to object, the Council reversed themselves when three council members voted against spending the money for the Equestrian Center upgrade.  Councilman Fox and newly-elected Jacqui Irwin now say they want to evaluate moving the
Equestrian Center, and Gillette said: “I will never support any expenditure for Two Winds.”

This is a complete reversal!  The Council was moving ahead with upgrades to beautify the Equestrian Center and choose a permanent operator.  Now, that’s all in jeopardy!

•  RESIDENTS BETRAYED  If Fox, Gillette and Irwin had left well enough alone we’d be closer to an upgraded equestrian facility we can all be proud of.  Will our property values be higher with a beautiful upgraded equestrian center across the street or with an Andy Fox Memorial
Stadium or something else?

They will tell you “there are no plans” for the land but they have proven they cannot be trusted. They’ll dust off their old arguments that it is better to move Two Winds Ranch over the hill.  It is better
for the environment, there will be less smell, it will be less costly, etc.  Don’t believe them. The reason they want to move it is they have plans for this flat, easily accessible land on Lynn Road.

•  DO YOU WANT LIGHTED BALL FIELDS, SPORTS CENTERS AND OTHER NOISIER FACILITIES?  MORE TRAFFIC?   Of course not.  The only way to protect the land from becoming a “monument to politicians” is to keep the Equestrian Center where it is!

•  TELL THE COUNCIL TO KEEP TWO WINDS RANCH WHERE IT IS!

Attend the Council Meeting Tuesday, February 8th at 6 PM and bring your family, your friends, your neighbors. Call the Council’s voicemail.
Send e-mails and letters to the Council and Local Newspapers!

Address for hardcopy correspondence to Council:
Thousand Oaks City Hall,
2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard,
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.

Click here for a .pdf copy to download!

DECEMBER 2004

Mayor Claudia Bill-De La Pena' s Speech

Thousand Oaks, December 2004

It is my honor to serve the people of Thousand Oaks as its new mayor.  In 1995, my husband and I moved here. Immediately, we embraced the city with its hometown feel, enormous charm and unique beauty, and believed we would do well to set down roots.

Listening to friends and neighbors’ stories gave me insight to how things are, and how they used to be.  Since incorporation 40 years ago, much has changed in Thousand Oaks.   What happens in Thousand Oaks over the next few years will certainly have an impact on the generations to come.

I share the vision our community strives for:

*  quality of life
*  responsible and ethical government
*  open space and preserving natural resources
*  public safety
*  economic stability
*  affordable housing
*  good schools

During my two years on the council, I have maintained my focus on these goals and principles.  My record demonstrates my commitment.  One of my very first actions was to hold town hall meetings in the community, to make government more responsive to you.  The town hall meetings bore several success stories:

* All three high schools received a total of $ 3.1 million dollars for stadium improvements.

* The neighborhood most impacted by the traffic from the Dos Vientos Development, was finally able to be heard after ten years of pleading.  Noise mitigation is now on its way. But there are so many other neighborhoods that need help with noise mitigation.

* Conejo Valley’s oldest school house, Timber School, is now a historic landmark. The next step is for the city to acquire the school so it can be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

* The city has also begun the process to change the designation of the area next to Rancho Protrero in Newbury Park, from residential to open space.  This was done after residents presented a petition of 1,100 signatures to the council, asking that the natural resources across from Dos Vientos Ranch (south of Lynn/Protrero Road) be protected from development.  When the time comes for a final vote, this would make a great opportunity for the council to listen to our residents, while working with property owners at the same time. The same area also includes a parcel known as Site I. The owners of Site I are willing to sell, and I hope my colleagues will soon join in the preservation of that open space and vote to acquire it.

* We are also in the process of upgrading and improving the only semi-public equestrian center known as Two Winds Ranch. This is the result of horse owners and Dos Vientos homeowners coming together to preserve the rural atmosphere and charm.

* Over the next year, I look forward to leading the council to build consensus on our values and to maintain the foundations established in our general plan.  The general plan will be celebrating its 35th birthday next year.  It is a vision in and of itself. It guides us, helping us to balance the need for a healthy environment with the need for a vital economy.

* One of the architects of this plan is still with us today. He is city manager Phil Gatch.  Mr. Gatch has witnessed this city grow from a rural sleepy town, to a vibrant bustling city, a city which - as fine as it is - has been experiencing tremendous growing pains.  Many councils have been grappling with those pains, including the current one.  How much more traffic can be jammed onto our roads? How much more traffic noise can we take day in and day out? How many more students can we fit into classrooms?  How do we deal with increasing crime?

There is pressure to build apartments all along Thousand Oaks Boulevard, known as mixed use. 

There is pressure to almost double the size of The Oaks Mall, increasing car trips by the tens of thousands. 

There is pressure to build parking structures.  At what cost? All those pressures are slowly but surely suffocating our quality of life.  I hear the complaints from residents every week.  If the residents are fed up with too much traffic, density and crowded classrooms, then who is pushing the city to build more and build higher? I think you know the answer.

I intend to continue scrutiny of our fiscal affairs and see to it that our tax dollars are used wisely and responsibly. We will devise solutions to the problems facing our city.

* That includes the day laborer site.  It’s controversial and challenging. The day laborer site cannot stay in a residential area.  I believe it violates the general plan.  Some of the day laborers may be
illegal immigrants.  They must face the consequences - as do the people who hire them.  Additionally, the city has chosen not to spend $ 50,000 of your tax dollars to upgrade the laborer site.

* But tax dollars must and should be used to reopen the east county jail.  The sheriff felt it necessary to close it because of budget constraints.  He and the district attorney sued the cash-strapped county over funding for salaries and benefits, among other things.  Even though Thousand Oaks is the only city in the county to have joined the sheriff and district attorney in their lawsuit, I suggest that the city partner with the county and our neighbors to cover the cost of $400,000 to keep the jail open for six months or until the lawsuit is resolved.  I believe the jail has sadly become a political football, and the residents are the ones losing out.  The council will work diligently to resolve this issue.

* As supporters of small businesses, the city must weigh the impacts another Home Depot at the old K-mart site will have on home improvement-type businesses on Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

* We must continue to provide affordable housing as best we can with the implementation of an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance.
* And we must continue to foster our relationships with other government entities such as the Conejo Valley Unified School District and the Conejo Recreation & Park District.

I will continue to support open government, and promote an inviting forum at all meetings and encourage our citizens to be engaged in the city. Together, I know we will continue to sustain our fine city with its outstanding employees, and keep us as one of America’s most desired cities. I hold my place on the council and as mayor as a public trust. That’s why I will continue to stay true to my pledges of genuine slow growth and fiscal conservatism.  I will stay true to my own values, which put me here in the first place. It is my fervent hope that ethics and moral values will find their way back into government.

As President Harry Truman once said, "I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell."  I will not hesitate to tell the truth.  And borrowing from President Ronald
Reagan: “... thanks to all of you and with God’s help, Thousand Oaks’ greatest chapter is still to be written, for the best is yet to come.”

November 5, 2004

Committee being formed to look into problems on North Lynn Road

October 27, 2004

MEASURE B THE FACTS!

Click here for Measure B Info                           Click here for Schools info

October 26, 2004

October 12, 2004   Noise, Noise, Noise, Noise, Noise, Noise, Noise!

The traffic situation continues worsen in this City. Those in power refuse to listen to the residents or even consider ways to mitigate the situation. There has been request after request for a complete evaluation of the TRAFFIC, NOISE and POLLUTION in this city. Please lets us know if you are as concerned as we think you are!

Please go to the LYNN ROAD  page an take the survey. 

October 4, 2004

Friday, October 8, @  3:30 PM
Thursday, October 14, @ 10:00 AM
Friday October 15, @ 3:30 PM

June 19, 2004

Planning Commissioner Michael Farris ( http://www.michaelfarris.com/ ) announced his candidacy for City Council. 

A TRUE SLOW GROWTH CANDIDATE WHO WILL REMAIN TRUE TO HIS WORD.  

Recently residents have been misled by those running for council promising one thing to get elected then turning there back on the very promises they made to the community. 

This will not happen with Michael (Mic) Farris!  The residents of Thousand Oaks have had many years to observe his commitment to slow and prudent growth through his service to this community on the planning commission.

This is evident by the support he received on June 19th, from current and former Planning Commissioners from the city and the county in attendance -- Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks, Thousand Oaks Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Bill-de la Pena, Janet Wall, Sue Boecker, Nora Aidukas, Jan Osterhaven, and Marilyn Carpenter. 

Michael made his announcement  near where they're ripping out oak trees to make way for a Claim Jumper restaurant and building the shopping center on public land next to City Hall (all with the taxpayers subsidizing the effort.....).  Clearly this is wrong and reason enough for the Council to be changed. 

Michael, also showed renderings of what's planned for the Oaks Mall expansion -- a project that has two massive parking structures lining the 101 freeway.  This didn't even show the multi-screen cineplex (and parking structure) scheduled for Phase 2 that'd be right along the 101 (where the Armstrong nursery and large parking area is....) 

What has Bob Wilson say about this expansion, "I am very strongly in favor of this project" (Thousand Oaks Acorn, May 27, 2004).

The City is working with the owners of the Oaks Mall to renovate the existing Mall. Actually the Oaks Mall is going to be enlarged and will become Ventura County's largest such shopping area. 

Want more information on this go to our "OAKS MALL" page!

         BEFORE EXPANSION                     AFTER PROPOSED EXPANSION
                        
Click on picture to enlarge

"OAKS MALL INFO"

HISTORY
(Past chronology of News Items follows - If you would like to catch up!)

MARCH 8, 2004  
                                            (photo from the Ventura County Star)

Mayor Bob Wilson (owner of Cisco's Mexican Restaurants), retreats from his once committed position on "Slow Growth".
It's not  just the 20 people who worked to get you elected as you claim Mr. Mayor, it's the 12,608 residents who voted for you because they took you at your WORD.

Where is the EIR?  
 Has the City violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)?

TO READ MORE OF WHAT THIS MEANS TO OUR CITY CLICK HERE February 9, 2004

 December 23, 2003

City Council in disarray over VENTURA COUNTY OPEN SPACE DISTRICT proposal!

All of us who have been out in the city traffic this holiday season can attest to the fact that we now have the San Fernando valley right here in our once peaceful community.

We all know what the 23 freeway looks like at rush hour in the morning and night Imagine if you will, if development continues at the current pace what the 101 freeway will be like in five years. UGH!

DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS SUBJECT?

SEND US AN EMAIL AND IT WILL BE POSTED ON THE "Voice of the Community" PAGE.

December 6, 2003

 Just published the Safest City rankings for this year and Thousand Oaks has the same ranking as last year!   6th in the nation in cities with over 100,000 population.

June 25, 2003
THE NETWORK IS LOOKING FOR A NEW LOCATION TO HOLD IT'S MONTHLY MEETINGS.
IF YOU KNOW OF A LOCATION IN THE CONEJO THAT WOULD LIKE TO HOST OUR MEETINGS PLEASE SEND DETAILS TO: mailto:wesmac@aol.com 

NO RESPONSE!!!!!

May 29, 2003

March 26,2003
Rancho Potrero Equestrian Center information page added!

March 3, 2003
The Coalition for Competent Leadership (CCL).  What is it?
What are the aims and goals of this Political Action Committee (PAC)?
Who are the movers and shakers who belong to this org?

For more information click here: CCL PAC  

February 11, 2003
Information flyer on attempt to build Boys & Girls Clubs at Conejo Valley School Campuses. Go to B&G Clubs page.

February 4, 2003

PERCHLORATE at  Ahmanson -  Perchlroate is a substance known to cause cancer in adults and mental retardation in newborns. This dangerous chemical has been found in multiple locations in Ventura County. Like MTBE, it moves rapidly through soil and groundwater and poses a threat to the health of the community.

The California State Assembly's Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Assembly member Hannah-Beth Jackson, is holding a hearing to increase public awareness and action on the issue of perchlorate contamination in local soil and groundwater.

Cancer-causing perchlroate is in Ventura County. Learn what can be done to address the public health danger:

Monday, February 10th at 7:00 pm

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza - Founder's Room

2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Please call (805) 648-9943 with any questions.

January 26, 2003  
New Page added: Boys & Girls Clubs.  Are they needed or better yet, Wanted?

December 27, 2002

This cartoon is posted here with the permission of the artist Steve Greenberg and the Thousand Oaks Star.

The questions now remain:

Stay tuned to this site for updates!

DECEMBER 10, 2002

A NEW CHAPTER IN THE THOUSAND OAKS CITY GOVERNMENT BEGINS.

We now have a council that will TRULY put residents' concerns first. 
They will not only listen but will act in the best interest of us all.
We look forward to a very productive future.

 THE CITY COUNCIL HAS FOR THE FIRST TIME A TRUE SLOW GROWTH MAJORITY!

IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT THIS NEW COUNCIL WILL TRULY PUT RESIDENTS FIRST IN THEIR DECISIONS. 

 OUT WITH THE OLD
With the removal of  Dan Del Campo from the council the pro-growth advocates will have to look elsewhere for someone to feather their beds.




 IN WITH THE NEW
 

Claudia Bill De Pena and Bob Wilson take the oath of office for the fist time., along with Andy Fox and Dennis Gillette.



 

The Election is over and for the first time since Moby Dick was a minnow the Residents of Thousand Oaks have a majority on the City Council!

It has been a long time coming and has taken a lot of dedicated work by many, many individuals. Congratulations to all who helped in any way. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Claudia BILL de la Pena and Bob Wilson for their win on Tuesday, November 5th and thank them for stepping forward to accept the challenges that lay ahead. We are well aware of the sacrifices that will be made to make this community once again a wonderful place to call home.

In the coming months there are many issues to be addressed and concerns that residents have had for years that have fallen on deaf ears now is the time for action!

August 23, 2002

Is Thousand Oaks one of the Safest Cities in America?
Thousand Oaks used to be the safest city in America but Amherst, New York has held the distinction for the past five years. Here are the facts as reported by Morgan Quitno Press, a Lawrence, Kansas-based publishing and research company. http://www.morganquitno.com
 

    Thousand Oaks at one time was #1.

Mr. Fox, Gillette, & Del Campo this happened on your watch!!!

Don't tell us how good you've done!  The facts don't lie!

August 16, 2002

Growth is necessary!   Do not believe it! 
The T. O. Troika* (Fox, Gillette, Del Campo) would have you believe that growth is necessary.  Nothing could be further from the truth! Read the Following: "Myths About Growth" (Adobe.pdf)

Look around you, evaluate for yourself the traffic, increased speeds on our city streets, noise, crime, pollution, and the frazzled nerves of those trying to get from point A to point B in a reasonable amount of time.  Is it just our imagination or are the residents of this once tranquil city loosing their cool!  Nobody smiles anymore if I didn't know better I would think I was back east in a major city. 

TROIKA vs. SLATE
The election for City Council boils down to: Who Are You Going To Believe!  Those who favor the special interests or those who will listen and take the best interests of the residents into account when they make their decisions!  Go to  ELECTION 2002 page for a reminder.

* TROIKA (from word "three").
According to the dictionary TROIKA is :
1. a Russian carriage, wagon, or sleigh drawn by a team of three horses abreast.
2. a team of three horses driven abreast.
3. any group of three persons, nations, etc., acting equally in unison to exert influence,
control, or the like.

The next time you hear "The T. O. TROIKA" refer to a SLATE remember they are a "TROIKA" pulling a wagon full of developers, special interests, and very very few residents.

Stampede the TROIKA!

July 23, 2002

East Side Development of the Civic Arts Plaza - Finally this area (which should have graded and trees and grass planted when the Civic Arts Plaza was finished instead of being allowed to become an eyesore) will be developed instead of being used as a storage place for Dirt!  Is this going to become another "door ding" parking lot?   The City Council Majority (Del Campo, Fox, Gillette, aka the T. O. Troika) approved a "development agreement" for a 48,000-square-foot complex that will include a plaza, an informal performance stage or amphitheater, a clock tower, two ponds, an ice-skating rink and a partridge in a pear tree, in the belief that it is "a strategic fit to the boulevard" or is it a $12,000,000.00 gift to the developer and a misappropriation of tax payer funds?   You make that decision read the facts at ELECTION 2002.

July 14, 2002

June 26, 2002

The Noise Pollution Clearinghouse  http://www.nonoise.org has posted a link to our organization on their web site.  They are also added on our links page.

The Network is among many organization around the county and the world who are very concerned with the ever increasing noise pollution and other environmental concerns facing us today.

Visit this site and read some of the very interesting information published there and visit other communities around the world who are facing similar problems that we here in the Conejo Valley are facing.

June 23, 2002
Why would a German Company RWE  http://www.rwe.com  with an English Subsidiary Thames Water http://www.thames-water.com/  want to take control of the California -American Water Company a Division of American Water Works Company, Inc.  http://www.amwater.com  (NYSE: AWK)?

June 20, 2002
Just when we thought we had heard it all, up jumps a new definition that our lovely local developers have come up with to describe the development of  shopping plazas, track malls or a retail development. Heard today at the PUC hearing at the Newbury Park high school auditorium are you ready?   Now don't laugh!
Development is now called "LIFE STYLE CENTERS." 
For other developer definitions see The developer playbook.

June 10, 2002
Planning Commission Majority (Clancy, Hoffman, Bruno) ignores citizen concerns and a faulty EIR report and approves a 90,000 sq ft department store that will bring Noise, Traffic, Pollution and Crime to a residential neighborhood in Newbury Park. 

May 10, 2002
The Friendliest of Skies or Added Noise and pollution in your back yard!
There goes the neighborhood!  Read the article "The Friendliest of Skies" in the Ventura county Star
( www.insidevc.com/vcs/business/article/0,1375,VCS_128_1133707,00.html)
Go TO Noise Page for more information.

April 30, 2002
BIGGER AIRPORTS ARE COMING TO AN AREA NEAR YOU!
California Transportation Commission (CTC) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) released the latest California plans that may affect us here in the Conejo Valley.

April 23, 2002
District Attorney's office found that The T.O. City Council majority ANDY FOX, DENNIS GILLETTE and DAN Del CAMPO had no basis to fire two Planning Commissioners and censure Linda Parks. (See the front page of the Thousand Oaks Star 4/23/02)

March 30, 2002
Ever wonder where the profits from the sale of gasoline goes?
All of this information is available from the Department of Energy at: http://www.energy.gov/ and can be easily documented. Refineries located in the U.S. are required to state where they get their oil and how much they are importing. They report on a monthly basis.
How much are you contributing to the support of terrorism? Now that's food for thought!

Major oil companies that import Middle Eastern oil (for the period 9/1/00 - 8/31/01).

March 6, 2002 (updated 4/2/02/0

Linda Parks Elected Supervisor of the 2nd District
Developers and special interests lose and Residents WIN! 

SUPERVISOR-2ND DISTRICT

This election hopefully spells the end to favoritism and the beginning of the demise of the T. O. Troika. Ideally this signals the return to fair and honest County Government and a real chance to keep Ventura County free from urban sprawl. 

February 18, 2002
For a humorous look at the recent Council action go to Consill Minuets.

February 13, 2002
The Thousand Oaks City (Developer Controlled) Council has shown it’s true vindictive nature as it held a Kangaroo Court to remove Planning Commission Chair, Michael Farris, Planning Commissioner, Nora Aidukas and censure Fellow Councilmember, Linda Parks.

With only supposition and NO evidence or facts to back up their claims, Fox, Gillette and Del Campo proved without a doubt where their loyalties are and it is not in the best interest of the residents!  The Western Plateau Preservation Plan, a very convoluted plan at best, exists today purportedly to save open space or is it to benefit developers? 

Instead of congratulating the Planning Commission for bringing to light the fact that par