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Teachers union opposes T.O. land initiative
Less development would cut funds, foes of Measure B say
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More from EducationWith the state already poised to cut billions of dollars from public school budgets, the Conejo Valley teachers union fears the loss of new revenues should a Thousand Oaks land-use initiative on the June ballot succeed.
All but one member of the Unified Association of Conejo Teachers' 40-person representative council voted to oppose Measure B, the union announced Monday.
The ballot measure would require large development proposals to be approved by both the Thousand Oaks City Council and city voters when a project would worsen traffic congestion, without taking into account street improvements provided by the developer.
If the initiative passes and voters turn down proposed projects, the Conejo Valley Unified School District could lose new annual revenues, including $3 million in one-time developer fees that would also fund the fire district, according to a statement issued by the union.
The amount of potentially lost revenue is based on a financial impact report conducted by a city-hired consultant, which looked at a worst-case scenario. Supporters of Measure B say the analysis is based on flawed data and makes flawed assumptions.
The report's findings have laid the foundation for several organizations that have announced their opposition to the ballot measure. The boards for the Area Housing Authority and Ventura County Economic Development Association also recently voted to oppose the measure.
"When you halt development, you halt money that goes to schools," said Arleigh Kidd, the local union's executive director, adding the fees often supplement funding for school building maintenance.
"If that money is gone, the need is still there," Kidd added. "It needs to come from somewhere. We don't want it coming from the classroom and more programs to be cut."
Jim Aidukas, a consultant for initiative supporters, said passage of Measure B "will not impact schools; it only allows a vote on certain large developments that congest traffic."
Aidukas also questioned why the opponents "were afraid to give residents the right to vote" on development.
Measure B, also known as the "Right to Vote on Traffic Congestion Initiative," was drafted in response to a proposed Home Depot store at the former Kmart site on Hampshire Road. The campaign for Measure B received most of its financial backing from one of Home Depot's business competitors, Do it Center.
Representatives of the Area Housing Authority and the county Economic Development Association said the initiative would do little to curb traffic congestion and would likely increase it, if residents had to drive farther for services and people who work in the city are unable to find housing.
Douglas Tapking, the executive director of the Area Housing Authority, said he is concerned the initiative would have an impact on the agency's ability to build a planned 60-unit affordable apartment complex, which would have two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments.
Tapking said the agency would likely lose out on funding from the city if new potential revenue is hit and the city is forced to tighten its belt.
"If you don't have the places to shop or live in the community, people are going to drive farther and you are going to be clogging the streets," Tapking said.
Bill Buratto of the Economic Development Association said the organization's board voted unanimously last week to oppose the initiative.
"These sorts of measures, in many cases, have unintended consequences," Buratto said. "All economies in Ventura County are inter-related. What happens in Thousand Oaks has an impact on the rest of the county."
Posted by koolwhazzup on April 1, 2008 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Kidd and his "council" have chosen to align themselves with the corrupt, political element that exists here in T.O.
Mr. Kidd, how about working to improve conditions for students AND teachers? With all the development here in the last 10-15 years, our students and staff are still subjected to overcrowding, "ghetto portables" (fake classrooms), outdated science labs and facilities badly in need of upgrading!! Work for higher teacher pay, manageable class sizes and lifetime medical benefits.
Teachers, wake up!! Make your union leadership accountable or UACT will become irrelevant like CVUSD!!
Posted by JohnGC on April 2, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All emphasis is placed upon the "loss of new revenues". Not one thought/concept regarding the degrading quality of life which is collateral with the virtually uncontrolled growth fostered by the council. And these are the clowns that are managing/representing the purveyors of public "education"? No wonder the high school drop out rates far exceed the graduation rates in the State.
Posted by CaptainAmerica on April 2, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You both sound like complete idiots on this topic. Everyone knows who "Koolwhazzup" is. She and Mike Dunn tell people they want to keep schools open, then she claims to support Measure B, guess what parents, if Measure B passes the likely hood of more schools closing increases. "Koolwhazzup" went to a meeting with Maple parents when they might be closed and they voted to never allow her to attend another of their meetings.
Posted by koolwhazzup on April 2, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Mr. Doc-
Before you call people idiots you need to know who you are talking about-I have never been to a meeting with Maple parents, have you? Do you know who "her" is? Then tell us, please! I do not reside in the Maple school of residence area-do you?
Please explain how more schools will be closed if Measure "B" passes-that is a big lie and you know it!! School funding comes from the STATE, not the City of T.O. You and Mr. Kidd are willing to accept the mediocre conditions that now exist in our schools (CVUSD) and are supporting "NO on Measure B". It has nothing to do with the schools-it has to do with the eventual rezoning of TO Blvd. to "Mixed Use" and the changing of the General Plan to include more development. "UACT Boy" (Kidd) admitted it in his statement to the Star when he should be working to help teachers.
People who read your posts can see that you are aligned with the "thug", criminal, corrupt element that has taken over our City government, Park and Rec. Board and School Board!!
Posted by CaptainAmerica on April 2, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My gosh, you are a complete idiot, thanks for proving it once again! Developer fees go to the School District, that comes from local sources, not the state! This now proves to everyone that you are a liar who makes it up as you go to please your boy friend Mr. Dunn. You are Dunn's personal lemming it appears!
Posted by koolwhazzup on April 2, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey "Doc" aka "Breaking News"-
You need to read up on California government and quit hanging around with the "thugs" of Thousand Oaks-
You have proven that you are one of the "criminals"
that are entrenched in local government here-with your comments about developer fees which go to the STATE so wise up, if you know how!! Obviously, you are one of the "pro-development" gang that want to see wall to wall apartments along TO Blvd., just like in Santa Monica which is now ruined.
What does Mike Dunn have to do with Measure B?
Just because your 2 girfriends on the school board, "Dumb and Dumber", aren't supporting this
measure, you are right behind-in case they need a "diaper change"!!! November elections can't come soon enough and these 2 will be flushed down the drain and become irrelevant just like CVUSD and UACT!!
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