Bad decisions are getting to be a habit in city hall

Which is it? The mayor of Thousand Oaks has been quoted as stating, "The city of Thousand Oaks is in outstanding financial condition. We're not experiencing hard times. We're not having cash flow problems." He also said, "Revenues and expenditures have come to a collision point."

Whichever one believes, the fact remains that some of our City Council and senior staff may be attempting to take our city in a very immoral direction.

The recent city budget was approved by the council, 41. It included $100,000 to beautify the day laborer site near Hampshire, which in my opinion shouldn't exist; a $2 million gift to the auto mall to pay for a multilevel parking structure for their inventory (last I checked this is a private business entity) and $5 million to Conejo Recreation and Parks District (CRPD), which is operated separately from the city with its own budget, for the Lang Ranch sports complex.

The addition of baseball fields and lights is not wanted by many of the residents, and it's not a project to assist the teens of our community. Add to this, we're already paying a special parcel tax to CRPD.

Most recently, a group of about 30 T.O. Boulevard business owners joined forces with some of our city officials on how to get around the city's master plan and build highrise buildings to increase density.

Their design group consultant, who hails from out of the area, states, "There will be a lot of traffic, but slower traffic won't kill anybody."

Last I checked smog, traffic accidents, crime and stress does in fact kill. In addition, it's been reported that a business that gives "a little extra" to the project could build even higher than 55 feet and that our oak tree ordinance is too restrictive. Sounds like we may become the San Fernando Valley or Anytown, USA, if we're not careful.

My family and I moved to the Westlake Village portion of Thousand Oaks over 14 years ago from the Valley for the friendly small town feel, open space, low crime, building standards, clean air, schools and beauty and serenity of the area. I can tell you that the property I own today would not cost as much in the San Fernando Valley, and there's a reason for that.

We must take a stand. Only we can protect ourselves. Residents need to be involved in what is happening in our city and hold our City Council and staff accountable. Amy Walker-Davis Westlake Village

Walker-Davis is a former planning commissioner.