After several years of intense work by the city staff and Home Depot people, a plan was completed at great expense for everyone. The residents of Thousand Oaks voted the project in on a special election costing the city over $70,000.

The City Council played along with this and appeared to have honored the results of the vote, the same people who elected them.

However, at a last-minute well-organized plan paid for by Do-it Center, they brought in an army of legal types and out of the area "experts" to discredit all the previous work.

Using half-truths and twisted facts, they intimidated the council with claims of noise, day laborers and surrounding business issues that weren't there to support the claims.

I can only draw a parallel to Costco of Westlake Village, which didn't displace area businesses and additionally brings more than $500,000 a year in tax revenue to that city.

For those businesses that felt treatened by Home Depot, competition is a lot like a drawer full of knives- - only the ones that stay sharp are used.

It's sad to see our city leaders ignore the vote of the people of Thousand Oaks. It's a further insult to see the future of an area referred to as a "Gateway to Thousand Oaks" stay in such poor appearance, which will probably last another five years.

I guess it goes along with the same thinking that erected the copper curtain on city hall.

Thanks a lot to the city and Do-it Center for saving us from progress.

With less money to work with, we can reduce services and increase taxes.

The outcome reflects a great job of brokering a win-lose.

Doit Center wins, the public loses. Again. Roger Meyers Westlake Village