Wants a chance to choose

Like the majority of Thousand Oaks voters, I feel that I do not really have a choice now even at the council level. People have been shying away from voting for higher offices like the president knowing that candidates like Bush and Gore didn’t excite them. Some have been energized by Ross Perot or Ralph Nader, but even the candidates knew that they were unelectable.

Mayor Masry has guaranteed that only people with money to burn can run a credible candidacy, while councilmen like Andy Fox prove that you need to be beholden to special interest, saying developer is not complete or accurate, to get the bucks.

Former candidate Richard Messina said it correctly that there are, "Two gangs in the city." While gang is a misuse of the word, it is a fact that no one can break the stranglehold of the two slates without a lot of money, and of course some dedicated volunteers. This is whey well-intentioned good people like Don Morris, Uncle Sams, Seagal or others have no chance.

So, concerned citizens, do vote, but hold your nose due to the acrid smell of the council ballot. Alas, we do not have many choices to get excited about.

Ekbal "Nick" Quidwai

Newbury Park