T.O. really doesn't need another Home Depot
      Pro-Home Depot letters and editorials claim that because we're in a recession, we need a second Home Depot to generate more tax dollars for Thousand Oaks. How simplistic.
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We need diversity in stores, not just more of the same
      Another Home Depot? Give me a break. How many of you remember Massey's Conejo Hardware? How about Newbury Park Hardware, Holiday Hardware, Robbs Hardware or Oaks Hardware? Those, along with several others, have disappeared from our town as Home Depots have sprung up all over the place.
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Opponent to Home Depot is frustrated
      I was a speaker at the Jan. 26 T.O. Planning Commission meeting regarding Home Depot. I spoke in opposition to the Home Depot. I'm a strong proponent of growth for Thousand Oaks, but when properly executed. Squeezing a Home Depot big box store into a "community shopping center" zoned C1 isn't good growth.
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It's reality, not dreams, for the former Kmart site
      I'm writing in response to letters published March 5 indicating a desire for a skating rink or a mixed-use development on the former Kmart site instead of a Home Depot. It's just not feasible. For one, we already have a skating rink in the community that's not particularly booming with business.
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A second store will reduce the traffic in Newbury Park
      Let me get this straight. Quality of life applies only to Westlake Village residents? In Newbury Park we have 2,500 new homes in Dos Vientos, and we have a Home Depot, Staples, Party Store, etc., and a huge commercial center at Wendy and the 101 Freeway. Traffic? Yes. Should Newbury Park have all the congestion? No.
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Home Depot will be good for T.O.
      I've been involved with the city and its politics for 30 years. As a business owner on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, I strongly support the Home Depot. I'm a former member of Mayor's Business Roundtable, which encourages the people of Thousand Oaks and the City Council to deal with businesses objectively and fairly.
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Education is taking a back seat due to the state budget
      A group of dedicated teachers, counselors and our very important High School to Career coordinators received their pink slips today (Fri., March 13). These cuts couldn't do more harm. They are at the sites, the schools. The individuals who received the pink slips work directly with students.
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Members of the same party don't always agree
      In response to Cathy Carlson's March 5 letter, I'm a Republican and also a very active member of Conejo Council PTA. Before I became a member of PTA, I had many of the same misconceptions that Cathy Carlson has. I, however, decided that getting involved in PTA was my way of making sure that my viewpoints would be heard.
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The Internet may have saved a life
      On Feb. 26 at 1 a.m., my 13year-old son woke me up and told me he had a pain in his stomach. I told him it was probably a gas bubble and to go back to sleep. At 1:20 a.m., he woke me again and demanded I take him to the emergency room because he said he had checked the Internet for his symptoms and was sure he had an appendicitis.
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Every single letter should be printed
      I'm writing to voice my dismay for the editorial you put in March 5 Thousand Oaks Acorn ("It's time for council members to lead.
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CROP Walk was a huge success
      The 31st annual Conejo Valley CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk took place on March 8 at the Cal Lutheran University sports complex. It was organized by Sherrill Hyink. It was a perfect day for hundreds of walkers.
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