Measure B backer actually listed reasons to vote no

I urge everyone to read Mojtaba Sedighi's March 13 letter, "Traffic initiative lets voters decide on development." (See the Thousand Oaks Acorn archives online at www.toacorn.com.) His letter makes a compelling argument to vote against the initiative, Measure B, which seeks to kill the Home Depot project.

First, Measure B only partially fixes the problem that Mr. Sedighi defined. According to his letter, the problem is irresponsible city officials who approved an improperly zoned project.

He also implies that the City Council members are "representing businesses or special interests" instead of residents.

What Mr. Sedighi describes is a corrupt government, and I assume that he's taken his evidence to the Ventura County District Attorney. In any case, Measure B is only a veto--it does nothing to force the council to approve projects that Mr. Sedighi might consider proper.

Second, Measure B does not deliver the goal that Mr. Sedighi defined. He stated that the initiative will let residents "determine the quality of life in their community." Obviously, the phrase "no Home Depot" doesn't begin to describe a quality of life.

To define and then attain a quality of life requires a comprehensive plan, one that results from rigorous analysis, compromise, goodwill and pragmatism.

Third, while Mr. Sedighi stated that Measure B affects projects that will cause traffic congestion, he actually defined Measure B to affect projects that hypothetically cause traffic congestion. Remember, Measure B explicitly ignores the traffic mitigation portions of the project.

Fourth, Mr. Sedighi stated that the initiative was the only way "to have our concerns heard." The city, however, prepared an environmental impact report (EIR) because of resident concerns.

I encourage everyone to read the EIR--it's a treasure trove of information--and decide for themselves whether the city is being as irresponsible as Mr. Sedighi suggests.
Chris Habecker
Thousand Oaks