It’s hard, but choices must be made

Slow growth has been heavily touted as the City Council election’s most important concern. Agreed; to ensure residents the highest quality of life possible, harshly managed growth in Thousand Oaks is a mandate that must be followed.

However, to wade through the complex quagmire of private property rights and state and federal directives, and fend off the burning desire of those just discovering the Conejo to share in its riches requires highly-skilled, trained and knowledgeable legislators. The day when someone who has not given years of thought to public service and policy should be elected is gone for Thousand Oaks.

Not to say that everyone doesn’t deserve to serve the city, but just as with any job, you shouldn’t start at the top, and certainly not in as trying times as these.

Besides growth, Thousand Oaks needs councilpersons that have the administrative and fiduciary backgrounds needed to see streets paved, highways widened, clean water flowing through the taps and to keep the street lights burning. On top of that, they must be able to shape the city’s future, and that must include the arts and other amenities as well as basic necessities.

Make no mistake; solid candidates have been fielded this election cycle. Michael Farris, Laura Lee Custodio and Claudia Bill-de-la Peña, good, committed, honest people, all have what it takes. But not yet, they are not yet completely seasoned.

The nod must be given to Andy Fox and Dennis Gillette. They both possess a wealth of education, substantial administrative backgrounds and a solid vision for the city that includes as slow growth a pathway as any. These senior legislators cannot be wasted; their talents must be parlayed to the fullest.

Dan Del Campo has grown in his first term, and is one of the finest ambassadors the city has ever seen. He too deserves a second go.

But, throw this into the mix. Just as the Acorn endorsed Linda Parks in the past, perhaps one voice should be heard from outside what has been termed the majority viewpoint. If so, instead of Del Campo, perhaps Bill-de la Peña should be considered. A journalist, local business owner and current planning commission chair, she would bring a strong conscious to the council.

For the two year slot, even though he seems to have an incredible affinity for negative campaigning, Randy Hoffman’s background of Harvard business and accounting, along with other management skills, seems the right package to test in these troubled times.

In the park district race, the incumbents Susan Holt, Joe Gibson and Mike Berger seem strong. For the school board, incumbent Mary Jo Del Campo, newcomer Sydney Stein and incumbent Timothy Stephens should serve.