Measure B is a shot in the arm for democracy

Measure B is a perfect example of how democracy should work- - voters should have the right to vote on any major use of land in their city that significantly affects their daily life.

The core issue isn't whether an existing business in Thousand Oaks is buying votes to protect that business from fair market competition, nor whether the elected City Council should have carte blanche to develop any large business solely to pump funds into the city coffers.

The core issue is whether voters have the right to vote for or against any large development in their city that admittedly would increase city income, but would also increase traffic congestion on city streets.

In view of the City Council pouring money annually into fixing the poorly constructed Civic Arts Plaza facility, an alternative plan could be to move the city hall offices from the Civic Arts Plaza and into the now vacant Kmart site on Hampshire Road.

Those monies earmarked for city hall repairs could then be used to upgrade the single-story Kmart facility and adjacent store fronts into city office spaces.

This would also eliminate the need for costly annual maintenance of elevators. Perhaps the long desired Discovery Center could then be housed at the Civic Arts Plaza in the vacated city hall.

Addressing traffic, most city employees and visitors to the present city hall offices operate sedan- and SUV-sized vehicles.

This move would divert significant traffic from the already traffic-congested "downtown Thousand Oaks" area. The vacant Kmart site has a large parking lot to provide ample parking for the city employees and for residents doing business at city hall offices.

Further, this alternate use of the vacant Kmart facility on Hampshire Road would avoid the ominous traffic problems that large trucks would create, especially with the nearby onand offramps on the 101 Freeway being so closely adjacent to the site.

How many residents recall the sweetheart deals the City Council made in feathering their nest at the Civic Arts Plaza years ago - - without voters' prior approval?

Herbert A. Hutchinson

Westlake Village