Do-it Center wins again, but why?
      It's remarkable that Do-it Center- a store that to me lacks choices of product, good prices and customer service- can once again convince a community to keep a competitor from opening nearby. Its owner kept Home Depot from opening in Agoura Hills, Lowe's from opening in Westlake Village, and now, Home Depot from opening in Thousand Oaks.
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Still wants to see a roller and ice skating rink in T.O.
      Half of my wish came true thanks to our wonderful City Council. The former Kmart, a 33,000-square-foot commercial building, is still empty. It's just waiting to be converted into a skating center for our youth. The name "Skating Palace" is a temporary name until a donor steps up to claim T.O.
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Wishes that Westlake Village wasn't part of T.O.
      Regarding Anastasiya Heydari's April 2 letter ("Westlake Village is a city in Los Angeles County"), Westlake Village is more than a city. Since we moved to Conejo Valley in 1978, Westlake has been our home, our community, an outdoor sports delight, a way of life and a dream. We have blue skies, sunshine, fresh air and majestic scenery.
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We must do everything we can to help students
      After reading the backandforth in our local Acorn about the state of education in California, I'd like to bring the conversation back to Conejo Valley, where most readers live. Here we are not failing to educate students.
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Senseless spending in Washington, D.C., led to TEA parties
      In recent letters to the Acorn regarding the TEA party events, Mr. Browne from Thousand Oaks asked if people didn't realize that our new president is actually cutting their taxes. Mrs. Jensen from Thousand Oaks asked why they were referring to tea parties.
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Spending in the nation's capital has gone too far
      Sherry Jensen misstates in her April 23 letter that 95 percent of Americans will receive a tax cut; this is impossible since there are 138 million individual taxpayers out of a population of 300 million (based on 2006 IRS data).
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Will participate in the next TEA party on Fourth of July
      I applaud the TEA Party protesters on April 15 at the Thousand Oaks Post Office. Al though my family and I planned on being part of the event, unfortunately, we were unable to do so. However, our sign would have read: "Join the TEA Party: Tax Equality for All!
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It's time to move on and stop criticizing Bush
      It's with great disappointment that U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is considering setting up commissions, hearings, etc., to harass members of the Bush administration who gave legal opinions concerning inter rogation techniques of enemy combatants after 9/11.
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If we torture others, it's not the same America
      Torturing people in the name of America's safety has always upset me. I know—I know —the enemy did horrible things: They killed 3,000 Americans and are still determined to do their worst, and I detest them for it.
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Hopes to see fewer Bush/Cheney bumper stickers
      Common sense has finally returned to Thousand Oaks voters. I'd like to offer my praise and thanks to all those thoughtful people who have been displaying Obama/Biden 2008 bumper stickers on their cars. What a relief it is to see this great president's name on the back of people's cars.
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Local nonprofit will close its doors
      On Sat., May 30, the last used books will be sold at the Book Bag. Because of big-hearted and seriously committed staff and volunteers, we lived our vision: to make book ownership affordable and accessible, to encourage people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds to read and to connect people who love books and reading.
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Movie industry is more important than residents
      Did you know that if the Thousand Oaks commercial filming permit laws are changed then next-door neighbors will lose their right for peace and quiet? The City Council is scheduled to completely revamp the filming permit laws on Tues., June 9.
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