On June 3, Thousand Oaks voters will be asked to vote on a bogus measure that bills itself as a traffic control initiative.

Measure B has been entirely funded and placed on the ballot by the Do It Center in an effort to keep out competition, namely the Home Depot. I have no feelings one way or the other about Home Depot, but I do have strong feelings about Thousand Oaks and the quality of life and services that we as residents receive. This ballot measure has a host of terrible consequences.

Measure B is billed as a traffic initiative, but nowhere in the measure does it offer a solution to traffic problems. Thousand Oaks is acknowledged as one of the best-planned, safest and most-desirable cities in California. Measure B negates the excellent and thoughtful planning process that has made Thousand Oaks one of the toughest cities in which to process a development and supersedes it with a yes or no vote that does nothing to improve traffic. Measure B will be a great deterrent to larger businesses, encouraging them to locate elsewhere, forcing our residents to travel greater distances to get to them, thus increasing traffic, at the expense of revenue to our city. The entire City Council authorized an impartial analysis of the potential impacts of Measure B and the independent report indicates that the consequences to our city, parks and school districts are entirely negative.

As a former mayor and council member, I know that sales and property taxes from our local businesses are a major component of the revenue stream that allows this city and other agencies to provide us with the high level and quality of services that we receive — from our excellent police services (Measure B is opposed by Sheriff Bob Brooks), to excellent library services and quality schools (Measure B is opposed by the Conejo Valley Unified School District, the Conejo PTA and by the teachers union, UACT), to parks and recreation services (the Conejo Recreation and Park District voted to oppose Measure B, as did the two local Little Leagues).

In addition, Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center improvements will be severely impacted and its ability to provide health services. Los Robles, its executive committee and its board of trustees are all opposed to this thoughtless measure, as is California Lutheran University, the Conejo Valley Association of Realtors, the Thousand Oaks Boulevard Association (consisting of large- and small-business owners) the Area Housing Authority, the Congress of California Seniors, the Tri-County Labor Council, the Thousand Oaks/Westlake Chamber of Commerce and the Ventura County Taxpayers Association.

Councilmen Andy Fox and Dennis Gillette are opposed to Measure B as are former Supervisor and Mayor Frank Schillo, former Mayors Frances Prince and Bob Lewis.

The proponents of Measure B say that the individuals and organizations who have taken a no on B position have been duped and misled, but these are individuals and groups of thoughtful, intelligent, experienced and longtime residents. It is an insult to say they were duped simply because they do not agree.

These are diverse groups, often with conflicting interests and, yet, they have all reviewed this measure and its impact on their organization and the services they provide, and they are united in their opposition to it.

Please join me and them to protect our quality of life. Vote no on Measure B.

— Judy Lazar of Thousand Oaks is a former mayor, councilwoman and planning commissioner of Thousand Oaks.