We need another Masry in city hall

Louis Masry is the only per- son running for City Council who possesses all of the attributes nec- essary to make a strong council- man. As a councilman, Louis will carry on the tradition of his late father, Ed Masry, in fighting for all residents of Thousand Oaks, and in bringing decorum and ci- vility back to the council.

While possessing many of his father's qualities, Louis is accomplished in his own right, and deserves to be elected on his own merits.

A successful local businessman and president of a local Chamber of Commerce whose membership includes over 500 Thousand Oaks businesses, Louis' community ties are deep and longstanding.

Among his many civic and charitable activities, Louis cur- rently serves on the board of the Thousand Oaks Police Charitable Foundation, and he has previously served as the chairman of the 2006 Friends of Scouting fundraising drive. He and his wife, Diane, are raising their two children here. Both have attended school in Thousand Oaks since preschool.

A desire to make Thousand Oaks a better community for our children is the centerpiece of Louis' campaign. This desire has sparked a plan to turn the vacant Kmart property into a children's complex containing a skating rink and bowling alley so that all of our children can have a safe place to "hang out." Louis' plan makes more sense than other plans be- ing proposed which call for an- other Home Depot on the site.

The approach that Louis takes to community service is nonparti- san, and without a political agenda. This is why he is the only candi- date who has received endorse- ments from popular elected officials in both political parties including Congressman Brad Sherman, Su- pervisor Linda Parks, Assem- blymember Audra Strickland and former Assemblymember Tony Strickland.

Louis is committed to running a positive campaign. Unlike some other candidates, you will see no personal attacks from Louis, or from persons affiliated with the Masry campaign. Rather, he is con- fident enough to run on his qualifi- cations and his vision for the city. We should ask ourselves, why aren't these other candidates?

The choice is clear. On Nov. 7, the citizens of Thousand Oaks should exercise their right to vote and elect Louis Masry to City Council.

Let's send a message loud and clear that our council members should be elected, not appointed. Scott Carr Thousand Oaks