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T.O. council won't submit argument on ballot item
Controversial traffic initiative is scheduled for a June vote
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More from Conejo ValleyThe Thousand Oaks City Council has decided not to write an argument against a controversial traffic initiative that will go to voters in June.
The council voted 5-0 at a meeting Tuesday night to refrain from submitting its assessment for the sample ballot that will be sent to voters.
"Since there are bona fide opponents and proponents of the initiative, I see no reason for the City Council to issue an argument," Councilman Dennis Gillette said.
The initiative calls for a public vote on any large development if it adds significant traffic congestion to any street or intersection — before street improvements provided by the developer are considered. It was submitted by two Thousand Oaks residents who said they fear increased traffic that a proposed Home Depot would cause.
The initiative's main financial backer is a competitor, the Do it Center, which has backed initiatives in other cities, including Agoura Hills, when rivals wanted to move in.
Gillette said that even though the council would not submit a ballot argument, it does not preclude the council from taking a position on the measure in the future.
Before the council voted on the issue, Conejo Valley Unified School District Superintendent Mario Contini spoke against the initiative. He said that after reading an analysis on the impacts the measure would have on the city, he feared that the school district would lose vital revenue from property taxes and redevelopment funds.
"We don't see a whole lot of benefit in this initiative," he said.
Also speaking out against the proposal was Moorpark Councilman Keith Millhouse, who also serves on the Ventura County Transportation Commission.
He said the same people coming out in favor of the initiative were the same people who were against a proposed county half-cent sales tax increase for traffic improvements, which failed in 2004.
Posted by koolwhazzup on February 15, 2008 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Councilman Millhouse-
Quit being a "stooge" for Andy Fox and the rest of the "gang of 4" and mind your own business in Moorpark-you have enough problems there with the over-development that you have approved!!
Posted by insideinfo on February 18, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder whether Mario Contini will be censored by the school board? Remember when trustee Dunn got censored. All he did was ask PTA presidents to poll their members on options for balancing the school district budget. I think the word you are thinking of is hyprocrisy.
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