Challenger for City Council would clamp down on developers

Holly LaRue Holly LaRue explained she's running for City Council to protect Thousand Oaks from developers who could put the city's unique ambiance in jeopardy.

"I think we're in danger of losing Thousand Oaks' familyoriented lifestyle by becoming overdeveloped," LaRue said.

She also supports local businesses and wants more programs for the city's youth, she said. LaRue has a real estate broker license and understands the challenges faced by small business owners, she said.

The mother of a teenage daughter, LaRue said she understands how important it is to protect children and provide safe places for them to go.

"I will support anything that helps public safety and fire safety," she said.

She'd also like to see places for young people to have safe and healthy fun, such as at a bowling alley or an ice skating rink like the ones that used to be in Thousand Oaks, she said.

LaRue would also like to see an improvement in the city's bus system.

"We have great buses in our bus system, but our bus system has no routes that make sense," she said.

She'd like to see a trolley system similar to the one in Santa Barbara that would run up and down Thousand Oaks Boulevard from The Oaks mall to The Promenade, she said.

The trolley would promote small businesses and retail. It would be there to help young people get around town more easily and would come with a map letting people know great places to shop. It would reduce traffic and improve air quality, she said.

"I believe in supporting and protecting retail and small businesses in Thousand Oaks. I've talked to business owners and they support the trolley idea," LaRue said.

She doesn't agree with a proposed plan to build four- and five-story buildings that would line Thousand Oaks Boulevard, she said.

"I understand that the city is near buildout and I'm concerned people might try to encroach upon our open space. I would fiercely protect open space," LaRue said.

She's an equestrienne who has donated a quarter horse to Ride On, a nonprofit that gives therapeutic lessons to disabled riders. A riding instructor, she volunteers her skills for the Newbury Park charity.

"I am a longtime supporter of SOAR, Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources," LaRue said.

She was recently appointed by Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Committee to be the Ventura County representative and is an alternate member of COSTAC, the Conejo Open Space Trails Advisory Committee.