T.O.'S WALK OF BENEFACTORS; IDEA TO CREATE STAR-STUDDED STREET PUT THROUGH PACES.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Staff Writer

Business leaders would like the city to have its own version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

But don't expect to find the names of local residents who have appeared on the big and small screens. Instead, organizers want to honor those who have given their time and energy to Thousand Oaks.

``This isn't a bad idea, to honor a series of people who have shown extraordinary dedication to the city,'' said Mario Diaz, chairman of the Mayor's Business Roundtable, who recently pitched the idea to the City Council. ``We should recognize people who have taken time from their lives to give to the community, to serve the community.''

The idea was spurred by the death of Irv Wasserman, one of the first members of the round table, Diaz said.

``He was like the elder statesman, the gentleman of the group,'' he said. ``He always had the calm, the presence of mind to approach any discussion in a calm, well-thought-out manner with a lot of care and love in his heart.

``And so we felt that loss very greatly, and what we were doing we were searching for something to commemorate him by.''

The group thought it was appropriate to recommend the city rename the Community Service Awards after Wasserman because he was the instigator for that, Diaz said. From that discussion, the idea of a walkway came about.

Diaz said it doesn't have to be as elaborate as the one in Hollywood, but could be one of plaza tiles embedded in the sidewalk or bricks.

As for picking who warrants the honor, Diaz said his idea is that an impartial commission would set up the criteria and consider nominations from local groups.

The nominating group would be responsible for paying the cost of the tribute.

Diaz said he also would support the nominations of the late John Conlan and Otto Stoll, both civic leaders who played a role in the creation of Many Mansions, a nonprofit organization providing low-income housing.

Diaz said members of the round table also came up with the suggestion of placing the proposed walkway on an 11-acre site adjacent to the Civic Arts Plaza.

``Since we are developing the east-side parcel and the east-side parcel is supposedly going to be the center city area, that would be a natural place to put it,'' he said.

The city entered into an exclusive right to negotiate the development of the site in August. Some of the proposed projects for the site include an interactive museum, a man-made lake and a colossal screen theater.

``I would like to see people get behind this concept so the council will take it to staff for action,'' Diaz said.

Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Gillette was scheduled to meet with Diaz on Thursday to discuss the proposal further.

``Having a place where people who have significantly served the community be recognized in concept I think has merit,'' Gillette said. ``But it's not a simple issue. There are a lot of things that would have to be considered.''