Hi Brian,

Good topic. First, the 23 widening has been approved and funded. Work should begin later this year. Second, no projects at the mall should ever be funded with public funds. Forest City should do that.

At the top of my wish list would be a widening of the 118 fwy from Moorpark to the LA County line. There should be four lanes of regular traffic and one carpool lane (for a total of 5). Also, the sound walls that have been promised, but never built, should be included. These projects are about 10 years behind schedule.

Next on my wish list would be a secondary freeway that provides east/west access in the county. An obvious option would be to turn hwy 118 into a freeway.

Happy New Year!

I think larger investments in structures such as damns and upgrades to flood control infrastructure should be first and foremost… I think it’s pretty clear that if we had a disaster, FEMA will be out on some golf course somewhere…

I don't ever want to hear another story where we "could of, should of" upgraded the levee's or the damn, but didn't...

Brian,
First I want to know how the bonds will be paid back. With a School Bond it is paid bck by raising property taxes, that way the money does not come out of the Districts general fund, which would drain money from the classroom. Arnold said all this borrowing could be done without raising taxes. That means the money would come from the general fund and other programs would suffer as a result. I agree we need to rebuild California, but as responsible adults I think we should pay for it, not our children and grand children. It's the same thing on the federal level, the debt keeps growing and the bill will be past on to the next generation. I did finally go to the new Mall in Simi. It really is very narrow and the smoking really was bad. One thing I don't get is that Barbara Williamson said the City Council could not stop them from allowing smoking. Later she said she wants bike racks in front of the Mall and the City Manager said he would make it happen. So they can control where bike racks go, but not if people smoke?????

Brian,
The mall is owned and operated by private enterprise. It's like if I walked into Rob-May and started smoking, they, RobMay can request that I leave, or they could ignore me. The City of Simi Valley, can not make Rob May remove me from the premises, unless of course it is a State law, like smoking in restaurants. I did, however, request that the City of Simi Valley enforce the law when it comes to minor smoking, and in this case up at the mall site. If a police officer sees a minor (under the age of 18) smoking, clearly he is breaking the law. It is at that time that the police officer can, and should address the issue with the minor.
As far as the bike racks are concerned, the city is not MAKING the mall owners install the bike racks, but merely requesting that they address the issue to accomodate their clientel.
Hopefully they will see the light and post No Smoking signs throughout the mall...

Hi Brian, Arleigh, and Barbra:

Since we're on the subject of the mall and smoking, I find it fascinating that adults freely light up and puff away when there are children around. Forget for a moment that smoking is legally allowed... couldn't these people wait another 15 minutes and smoke on their way home, or at least in the parking lot?

For the sake of the children and others around you, please don't smoke at the mall, even if they do allow it. Thank you.

Barbra,
Sorry I mis-spelled your first name. Could not the City of Simi Valley create an ordinance saying no smoking anywhere at the Mall? I just read that Moorpark has outlawed sign twirlers and I saw last night that Glen Becerra wants a homeowners bill of rights, it would seem easy to say no smoking at our nice, new mall. Second hand smoke is a proven health concern and I personally don't think smoking should be allowed on mall grounds when people are bringing their families there. In terms of the mall being on private property the Council has ordinances already that regulate things that go on with private property, why not smoking at the mall where the public is present?

Brian,
I totally agree with Arleigh...as a "former" smoker I think waiting thoses few more minutes to light up isn't going to hurt anyone and our children will benefit. I will even take it one step further and request that Arleigh take his request to the full City council which meets again on the 23rd of January.
Barbra

Barbra,
Since you have been kind enough to invite me I will be there on January 23rd to request a City ordinance to ban smoking at the new mall. I truly thank you for reaching out in this manner. Arleigh

Arleigh,
Be prepared for no one backing you up on this. They are going to say that it is up to the owners of the mall and out of our hands.....just a warning...
As you know, when you get up to requst the ordinance, the council will wait until its their turn to speak...at that time they will either address your concerns or ignore it. STAY for our input...
Barbra
Barbra

Barbra,
I always stay for Board/Council comments because it is very impolite to make comments at the mic and then leave before hearing the members you addressed respond. In terms of private property I will guess there is an ordinance about burning leaves on private property. I also would bet we have a City ordinance that you cannot dump all your garbage in your front yard because it is a safety/health hazard for your neighbors, I see a smoking ban ordinance for the mall along those same lines. Thanks, Arleigh

I think it would be unfair to the mall to ban smoking at only their facility. A proposal should be for all outdoor shopping centers within the City. To be more specific, I'd like it to be for areas at the shopping centers where people congregate or where ingress and egress are required. So walkways, eating areas, etc. I have no problem with people smoking in parking lots (but not roadways, at they usually border these areas - picture someone standing in the roadway just off the sidewalk).

Lots of issues to consider here, but I like the idea. Does the City or Park District currently ban smoking in parks or specific sections of the parks, like playgrounds?

Alan,
I know the School District bans smoking on all of their property. Please come to the Council meeting on Jan. 23rd and share your ideas at the mic. Arleigh