From The Star...

Is Tapo Canyon Park election-year tango?
By Gene Hostetler

I am compelled to speak out as an individual regarding all the buzz about Tapo Canyon Park. I do not speak for the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, of which I am a board member. Two events have occurred within the last few weeks that have left me baffled. First, Supervisor Judy Mikels takes the bows in announcing that Waste Management has voluntarily offered to clean up the 212-acre park that has been unopened since wildfires forced its closure in 2003. Just a few days later, plans to reopen the park are delayed because of neighbors' concerns about RV camping facilities that are planned as part of the refurbishment.

Let's be honest here. The park has been closed since 2003, but its overall condition suffered long before that due to years of neglect by Ventura County. That is why in 2002, just before Mikels' re-election, she proposed that the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District take over the care and maintenance of the park. The board was greatly interested in a proposition that clearly would have benefited all east county residents, and certainly the currently concerned neighbors. While final details were not discussed, one need only to visit nearby Rancho Tapo Community Park and Veterans Plaza (on Lemon Drive and Avenida Simi) to see the constant care taken by our own Park District, in contrast to the county's Tapo Canyon Park.

While Mikels was engaged in an election campaign that nearly unseated her, she asked to delay details on the transition. The board agreed and, in good faith, we tabled the issue. Not long after Mikels squeaked to victory, she suddenly and inexplicably pulled the issue off the table. She had won her election and perhaps no longer needed allies or campaign promises around her. Meanwhile, the park continued to flounder, with the wildfires providing the final blow.

Well, it's election time again and now Mikels has garnered more free press by abruptly announcing one of her largest campaign contributors has generously offered to clean up the park in advance of a county renovation plan. Don't get me wrong; I am not against cleaning up the park. But the timing seems more than coincidental. The Rancho Simi Park District would have cleaned this up long ago, and local residents would have been consulted and pleased — not surprised and angered — by the results.

I am just one member of the board and I am sharing my own personal observations. I recognize this election-year song and dance for what it is because I have seen it from Mikels before. But what's in it for Waste Management? Is it just a good corporate neighbor or is it offering this to sugarcoat its plans to level Simi Valley hillsides with a massive expansion of its landfill?

Only time will tell. But I don't plan to wait until next election to find out.

I welcome the plan to clean up the park but it is time for control to come under the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. Our park district oversees and maintains parks in the east county on a daily basis — not just when election time rolls around.