Yes on Costco; Mike Berger will be missed

We don't offer opinions on everything that happens around here, but this week we have editorial remarks about two subjects.

Concerning the proposed Costco store for Newbury Park, the Thousand Oaks Acorn has already endorsed the plan.

The proposal goes before the City Council next Tuesday night. (See story on page 1.)

We hope the council listens carefully to the usual NIMBY crowd (Not In My Back Yard), which will probably be joined by the even more fanatic BANANA gang (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything).

Then the council should approve the plan in an expeditious manner. Despite the cries of people who want the city of Thousand Oaks to be torn down and rebuilt as it existed 30 or 40 years ago, those days are long gone.

Let's not kid ourselves, our city needs money- - just like every other municipality, county and state in America.

A major contributor to T.O. is the Auto Mall because vehicles are big-ticket items that include hefty sales taxes.

Nobody needs to be reminded that vehicle manufacturers and dealers are facing an unprecedented decline in sales.

Even Toyota and Honda, two perennial leaders in the automotive world, are losing money.

That's why Costco will be an asset to the residents of Thousand Oaks. It will generate sales tax revenue. It will help shoppers get value for their money. It will force other gas stations to keep their prices down. It will eliminate driving to other Costco outlets in Westlake Village, Simi Valley and Oxnard.

Thousand Oaks needs and deserves its own Costco store.

As surely as we hope we get something—Costco—we're sorry to hear that Mike Berger has left us. (See story on page 9.)

Berger has served Conejo Valley in several roles, most recently with the Conejo Recreation and Park District Board of Directors. For his service to the public, Berger has won several awards.

Berger has been an incredible asset to our community. Everyone who enjoys public parks in T.O., Newbury Park and Westlake Village has benefited from Berger's hard work and dedication.

We will miss him.