My blood boiled when I read that our City Council voted to spend $96,500 of taxpayer dollars to hire a consulting firm to make "a successful shopping center more successful."

Thousand Oaks is an almost a perfect place to live, but we're missing two things: familyoriented recreational venues and a "downtown."

Unfortunately, Thousand Oaks never had a downtown for stores. When The Lakes was first envisioned, citizens were sold on the idea of a "downtownlike" setting, with an associated IMAX and Discovery Center. That mark was missed! The Discovery Center is still homeless and there's no IMAX.

The Lakes is just another high-end strip mall with mostly chain-businesses that can be found anywhere. Where are the "mom and pop" businesses typically found in downtown areas? Why weren't these businesses recruited and offered affordable rent at The Lakes? Too many of the same businesses are at other Caruso developments; at least Ben and Jerry's is a locallyowned franchise.

Although the playground at The Lakes is well-thought out, it's not unique. T.O. doesn't lack these kinds of play areas, while skate parks, BMX tracks, bowling alleys, miniature golf courses and children's museums are totally absent.

Thank you, Claudia Bill-de la Peña, for your consistent opposition to spending taxpayer money on The Lakes and encouraging familyfriendly development. "Boo" to the other City Council members who voted to spend our money to promote a private developer on cityowned property, while favoring The Lakes over other retailers in Conejo Valley.

Why is The Lakes more special than other struggling developments such as Janss Marketplace and other strip malls and businesses along Thousand Oaks Boulevard with vacant storefronts? To provide $96,500 to support one private developer is irresponsible.

How about redirecting money to attract more familyoriented recreational venues to come to Thousand Oaks, or saving the money for another use, such as an unexpected emergency?

When it comes to supporting Conejo Valley businesses, I'm going to spend my money in community restaurants such as Gino's Trattoria, White Elephant and Akio's, and locally owned-boutiques and gift shops, rather than dining and shopping at The Lakes. Bonnie Bylin Thousand Oaks