CONEJO VALLEY: PUBLIC FORUM : SCARY ZEANAH TALES DON'T TELL WHOLE STORY.

Almost without exception, every statement that emanates from Elois Zeanah, and is longer than one sentence, contains the word overdevelopment. She has never defined the word, but insists that we have it, or soon will. Whenever she uses that word, you bet your sweet life it will be closely followed by another couple of words from her rather limited vocabulary: San Fernando Valley. This is intended to strike fear into the hearts of every man, woman and child within earshot and to ring up a vote next election time. In the interest of setting certain fears to rest, I think a little clarification is in order.

Overdevelopment can be defined in one word: Density. I can't, for the life of me, understand why that should be so difficult to comprehend. Seventy-six percent of the voters related to it when it was presented in a ballot measure and voted yes for Measure E in 1996. Yet, our self-proclaimed greatest supporter of slow growth, Elois Zeanah, voted against putting it on the ballot, then fell all over herself trying to make it retroactive even though that would have been illegal.

Another favorite thunderbolt from Zeanah and her supporters states that we are going to have 8,000 more homes. What they don't tell you is that number is designated to bring us to a build-out population that meets the parameters set within the General Plan. Only about half of those units have actually been approved and if we ever do reach the designated number, it will be about 15 or 20 years from now. That allows plenty of time for infrastructure to be in place and necessary controls to be activated. No standards need to be compromised and no mountains will be moved or built on.

Another accusation that has been floated is that the reason for increasing the capacity of our wastewater plant was to accommodate more development over and above the General Plan. That was shot down when our last consultant team confirmed that the requested capacity was necessary for our present projected build-out.

So, don't be misled by the ``red herring'' or overdevelopment and the San Fernando Valley gimmick. And, don't be fooled by people trying to create fears where none exist. Vote ``Yes'' on the recall.

Ray Carafelli

Thousand Oaks 

Councilwoman fights for city; support her

Our watchdog group has been monitoring development in Newbury Park for seven years. I am dismayed that the editors of this page continue to print letters that are full of lies about issues that are a matter of public record. These falsehoods regarding Elois Zeanah is a prime example of the tactics of those who want to remove this slow-growth council member.

Zeanah has been the taxpayers' friend for seven years, showing the height of fiscal responsibility.

She saved the taxpayers $6 million that the city would have taken from them when she asked questions about the grandiose wastewater plant. According to the city's own auditors, $32 million could be saved on the plant through taking alternatives. Zeanah wanted to save us this sum. In the meantime, the taxpayers will actually save $11 million in bonds due to the change in the financial market. Looking at the internal debt for the Civic Arts Plaza, Zeanah and Linda Parks asked that all taxes for the sewer plant remain in that fund and not in the general fund. The pro-development council members voted them down. It was Zeanah who asked the city to move from using chlorine to a nontoxic alternative precisely to ensure that residents would not be exposed to any risks.

The council voted to deny the Cohan project as proposed. That was legal and the prerogative of the council. It was the multiple legal errors made by the city attorney that the court found unacceptable. It was his ineptitude that cost us millions in a lawsuit. Residents also lost as the Dos Vientos Default was magically erased as part of the settlement with Cohan. The city's back-room deal prevented the downsizing of this mini-city, which will impact residents for decades.

Prove that this campaign of lies will not work in Thousand Oaks. Prove that the cynical use of $300,000, two-thirds of which comes from one woman in Moorpark, cannot alter facts and brainwash voters. We owe Elois Zeanah our deepest gratitude, and we owe her our votes. Join us on Nov. 4 in voting ``No Recall.''

Michelle Koetke

Chair, Residents to Preserve Newbury Park

Moorpark parcel tax not fair to residents

The framers of Proposition 218 were very wise and voters well informed in choosing to stop the continued escalation of taxes and assessments. I agree with the principle that the ballot is the proper way to authorize taxation.

The city of Moorpark presents ballot Proposition P to avoid the current assessment district, used to maintain city parks, replacing it with a parcel tax that would be in effect for 10 years, with a maximum charge of $68.50.

I oppose this proposition as much as I was opposed to the preceding assessment, because it is a parcel tax. In plain language it is inequitable. Families living in tiny little homes, in a less-affluent part of the city are paying the same as those in homes worth hundreds of thousand more. Witness, if you will, the disparity of the size and scope of parks in different areas. Some have gyms, administration buildings, tennis courts, restrooms, telephones, indoor basketball, baseball and soccer fields, etc. Others have a couple of swings and one jungle gym and nothing more. An yet, each family pays the same amount, currently approximately $40. This is unfair!

Anticipating the passage of Proposition P, the City Council has increased the burden on this fund by redefining the word ``parks'' to include the maintenance of buildings. Until now, these have been maintained out of general funds.

The City Council recently voted to includes maintenance of the park at Villa Campesina Development, which was to have been the responsibility of the homeowners and the developer, I understand. This makes me wonder what will happen when other homeowner associations demand this same consideration for their privately maintained property.

Lest I be misunderstood, I would quickly state that I support all youth activities, baseball, football, soccer, basketball, etc. I appreciate the need for the peace and beauty of parks. My point of contention is the method of funding. A more creative and equitable approach is needed and Proposition P is not the answer.

Tony Simen

Moorpark

Candidate's sensible stances earn support

Concerning the upcoming City Council election in Westlake Village, I am supporting Iraj Broomand and joined the committee to elect him because he gave me common-sense answers to my questions. Two important issues we discussed are the hospital and the sports park.

First, I asked about the Westlake Medical Center that was closed by Columbia. He said that he considers bringing back a hospital or at least an emergency medical center as his highest priority, but that it must be a privately owned service. He said that the taxpayers cannot carry the burden of support. He further stated that although the hospital should be privately owned, the City Council and concerned local citizens must provide the leadership to gain that end. Dr. Broomand stated that he has been meeting with community leaders and physicians who share his concerns and that he is convinced that a forward-thinking plan can be implemented and must be implemented.

The second issue concerns a city sports park currently under consideration by the City Council. He said that our city has no such park available for our youth and that it is important that such a park be developed. However, he said that he is concerned about the impact on the neighboring homeowners and that local citizens' concerns must be thoroughly addressed. He wants careful research done concerning the cost of grading and developing such a park and that the current plans as well as alternatives both in location and in construction must be reviewed before the plan are finalized. Finally, this will be a permanent park and there is no rush to make an immediate decision.

I like his common-sense approach to these important issues.

Mel Flack

Westlake Village

Carpetbagging donor here, not Jill Lederer

At this writing, Edward Masry has decided to contribute $75,000 to the Elois Zeanah camp to ``even out the playing field.'' Masry is new to Thousand Oaks, and must believe we are all fools if we're to believe he has no personal agenda but simply wants to even things out. He can do whatever he wants with his money, however foolish it may be. How come Zeanah, Linda Parks or their followers aren't screaming about the $250 campaign limit now?

Masry doesn't follow local politics, does not know the community and saw his first council meeting last week while making coffee in the morning. Jill Lederer has been involved in the local community for years. She is a highly respected local business leader.

Lastly, the Zeanah people are whining that Lederer now lives in Moorpark. She moved her residence from Thousand Oaks last year, but her business remains here. Any day now, Jamie Zuckowski will be here, campaigning hard for Zeanah. Last time I checked, Zuckowski lived in Colorado.

As always with Zeanah, Parks, et al, do as we preach, not as we do.

David Dorazio

Thousand Oaks