Hands-free won't make cellphones safer in vehicles
      I feel compelled to write regarding last week's Acorn Opinion piece on the hands-free cellphone law for drivers starting July 1. I'm afraid the Acorn is another victim of the political propaganda machine up in Sacramento when it comes to "proof" that hands-free devices prevent accidents.
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U.S. Marine had his chance to be in commencement
      Regarding Mrs. Kadium's letter about graduation at Conejo Valley High School, Mrs. Kadium is only partially accurate ("Rules should have been bent so U.S. serviceman could accept his diploma," June 26 T.O. Acorn.
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Letter distorted the truth about man's graduation
      I read Tara Kadium's letter to the editor this morning regarding Ray Paladino's graduation. She's entitled to her opinion, but her take on the facts of the situation are incorrect. She states, "A young man was denied participation in his own graduation because he couldn't obtain leave for the rehearsal.
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Principal should have made an exception
      I was astonished to read in the local newspaper about the poor judgment exhibited by Principal James Martin in not allowing a United States Marine to sit at his graduation ceremony with his class at Conejo Valley High School due to the student's inability to obtain leave from the military to attend rehearsal.
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Decision to close Meadows school was deplorable
      I mourned the loss of our neighborhood school again after the June 17 board meeting to "reconsider" the decision to close Meadows and University elementary schools. Meadows and University families rallied together. We didn't threaten racial unrest or discrimination lawsuits.
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Why does the city waste money on a day laborer site?
      In case you missed it, a $673,288 Community Develop ment Block Grant (CDBG) federal funds spending plan was approved for fiscal year '0809 during the May 13 Thousand Oaks City Council meeting. While portions of these funds were allotted to worthy causes, not so worthy is the $94,180 allotted toward maintaining the city's day laborer site for yet another year.
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At-large elections make sense for Triunfo Sanitation
      Triunfo Sanitation District should elect all five board members in an at-large election. That was the unanimous vote by the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) on Tues., June 24. Currently, three Triunfo board members are appointed and do not have to live in the district, while only two are elected at large.
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High gasoline prices have finally awakened America
      In response to Diego Cruz's June 26 letter ("It's time to drill oil in the U.S."), high oil prices will inevitably force us to conserve; yes, "even a caveman can do the math." It's not only "radical environmentalists" who prevent drilling in the U.S.
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POLICIES ON LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AND OTHER EDITORIAL MATERIAL
      The Thousand Oaks Acorn welcomes Letters to the Editor and other comments and suggestions. Letters should not exceed 350 words and please, no more than one letter per month. Letters must be received by Friday for publication the following Thursday. Handwritten letters are acceptable if they are legible.
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Help available for older people who are seeking jobs
      I wish to respond to the letter in the June 19 Thousand Oaks Acorn ("Ageism is alive in America and in our county"). At OPEN (Outstanding Professionals Employment Network), we've helped a number of job seekers through the process of identifying and finding jobs. We're aware that unemployed professionals can get sidetracked into depression.
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