After the Jan. 26 Thousand Oaks Planning Commission meeting, I learned that a record of proceedings isn't always a record. As a concerned member of the community, I spent seven hours at the meeting until, around midnight, I finally got my chance to speak and give my reasons for opposing the addition of a second Home Depot in Thousand Oaks.

They were: pollution, which will hurt all of us, but especially seniors living nearby and cancer patients at The Wellness Community; increased traffic at ramps and even on side streets; violation of zoning, because the location is designated as a neighborhood shopping center, not a big box construction store; and industrialization of our beautiful rural suburban community, destroying its appeal and value.

I just found out that my name and statements were omitted from the record, along with about 15 other speakers against the proposal. And, by the way, community members at the meeting were predominantly opposed to another Home Depot.

Why was my statement omitted, while statements "for" by people who didn't even speak that night were included? Why didn't I and other speakers "against" get at least equal treatment by the commission?

These actions smack of stacking the deck.

It seems that the commission has no problems pretending to give us the right to speak without entering some of us into the record. I object to such misleading actions and am concerned that the decision to set up another Home Depot in Thousand Oaks is proceeding despite the wishes of the community.

It makes one wonder, what will come next? Zita Rahbar Westlake Village