Councilmember Claudia Billde la Peña and her ally, Clint Matkovich, are upset with the Thousand Oaks Acorn for criticizing her contrarian view of council participation at cityrelated conferences.

Billde la Peña ought to realize by now that quite often her positions and opinions are not universally shared by the Thousand Oaks electorate.

Therefore, occasional criticism ought not to come as a surprise.

In this instance the Acorn chose to criticize Ms. Bill-de la Peña and suggest that she could gain valuable knowledge by participating in conferences designed specifically to support the growth of cities and their leaders.

Yet Bill-de la Peña and Matkovich claim the Acorn editorial:

•resorted to the politics of character assassination

•viciously attacked her

•was just another "hit piece" against her

Pretty thinskinned for a seasoned politician who regularly goes against the grain on so many city issues.

Bill-de la Peña's victimization claim against the Acorn was weak and grossly overstated. If anything, the Acorn aptly challenged her to think and act "out of her usual box" for a change. Yet her claim in all likelihood will bring out the usual cast of characters and conspiracy theorists.

In light of Bill-de la Peña's disproportionate reaction, voters ought to carefully weigh her future public comments for accuracy, objectivity, purpose and intent. Ron Bauer Thousand Oaks