In 1973 we arrived in Thousand Oaks and have watched it grow into a much larger city.

Along the way, growth has had its critics, I being one of them. I haven't spoken out about the problems, but now is the time. One that keeps popping up is the Civic Arts Plaza repairs.

What a great thing it is to have a building that holds so many great events and we don't have to go to L.A. to enjoy them.

But all I've heard since its opening is about construction repairs and the high costs that go along with them. A couple of weeks ago, your paper carried a story calling for more repairs, from cracks in walls, to plumbing problems and leaks all over. Just who were the inspectors on these projects- the city, of course- who hired the contractors- the city, of course- and where is the quality of workmanship?

This building cost millions to build, but I think the amount is getting close again in repairs.

When is it going to stop? As stated by a city staff member in the T.O. Acorn, "Until we find something else wrong."

It sounds like some weak contractors to me. And the most recent issue is the new "logo branding" to improve marketing of our city. The city staff wants to spend close to $90,000 to hire some company out of state to come up with a new "logo" or "brand." The same edition of your paper also had an article that said the city is short of funds.

If a new logo is needed, tell me: How much influence does a logo have to do with marketing?

Why not have a local contest and hire a local company to do the job? And don't forget the hidden costs of repainting all of the city vehicles and reprinting all of the stationery, business forms, etc. They just put this idea on hold.

I wonder why? Don Bielke Thousand Oaks