A local civic leader with great integrity, with a record of business success and proven commitment to the community characterizes Gary Cushing, the top candidate for the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District. I know Gary as an individual of outstanding personal character and am completely confident in recommending him.

His interest and dedication to the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District is multi-faceted and will represent all segments of our population. In other words, he is not a one-issue candidate. His interests include ensuring that senior citizen services are outstanding, ensuring that youth sports grow with our children and ensuring that our trails, parks, centers and equipment will meet our changing needs.

After the debacle of Fagan Canyon, voters in Santa Paula have a chance to make big changes in the city. Three council seats are up for election, and three very good challengers have thrown their hats into the ring. They are Ralph Fernandez, Bob Gonzales and Fred Robinson. They can make the difference for our city's future.

Let's have a clean sweep at City Hall on Tuesday. These three men have pledged to accept and work with Measure L6 if it passes. L6 is needed and is a well thought-out example of "power sharing." A vote for L6 is a vote to retain Santa Paula's small-town character and your right to vote on large-scale development.

— Richard Main, Santa Paula

Since Art Hernandez is running for re-election to the Ventura County Community College District board of trustees, now is the perfect time to remind the voters about his ethical lapses, so when they cast their vote they are well-informed about his character.

The voters need to be reminded that it was Hernandez who helped draft former Chancellor Phil Westin’s very lucrative employment contract. When Westin’s abuses of his perks came to light, Hernandez persuaded the board to let him go without an investigation and, on top of that, with severance pay in the amount of approximately $600,000. Birds of a feather flock together, it would seem.

The citizens of the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Parks District in Camarillo will be greatly served by electing Gary Cushing to their board of directors.

Tuesday, the citizens of Ventura will be asked to approve Measure P6 and increase our sales tax. It is incumbent upon us to make the right decision, and I would ask every voter to vote no on this measure.

It is alarming to learn that we have not hired any new officers since 1990, unlike Oxnard, which has hired 80 new officers since 1993 without a tax increase. While need has been demonstrated, the need for more tax money has not.

My goal was to determine if the city truly needs additional money or if the City Council has the money but uses it for its own agendas and programs. The facts reveal:

As a U.S. citizen, Oxnard resident and merchant and president of the Downtown Oxnard Merchants Association, I feel the responsibility to call upon the community to exercise their right to vote. However, I would like to remind them to make sure that their choice is based on positive and accurate information, not on negative campaign comments and ads as expressed by Phil Molina and his camp.

Tom Holden’s performance as an elected official, since the beginning, has been of excellence. As mayor of Oxnard, he has been able to assemble the most effective team of staff members in many years, working diligently with proven, positive results. He is capable of guiding our city into a future of optimism and success.

Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation, a nonprofit, all-volunteer local organization, was founded in 2001 to promote preservation of hillside land, above the city limits, from large-scale residential development.

Our mission has been successful, to date, because of VCHP’s continuing public contact, its election campaign efforts and ongoing City Council support, culminating in the adoption of the plan in August 2005. However, all this work stands an excellent chance of being totally obstructed if Proposition 90 is approved Tuesday.

Here in Ventura County, 1,000 men, women and children are homeless each night. It is estimated that:

— One-third have become homeless due to the high cost of living here.

— One-third have become homeless after being discharged from prisons, jails and hospitals.

— One-third are single individuals who are chronically homeless and are likely to have a permanent disability that makes them unemployable.

Californians have a rare opportunity this year to cast a vote to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of the Golden State’s most vulnerable people.

Proposition 1C, the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act, will provide shelter to homeless families, victims of domestic violence, low-income seniors and others in need of safe and affordable housing.

More than 360,000 people are homeless in California every night. Last year, 5,100 battered women and their children were turned away from domestic violence shelters that were full.

Here we go again. Every election since the beginning of time has dealt with taxes and power. There is nothing we can do about those fools who want power. However, we do have the tool to tell them what to do with their tax increases.

It’s funny how it’s even an issue among the voters. Here are three absolute facts about taxes that everyone should be able to figure out:

— Rather than making their budget work, politicians will always ask for more.

Who should decide if a pregnant minor girl should have an abortion? The minor girl, of course.

Who should advise this child whether she should have an abortion? Surely, it is not the school employees who should advise this child! It is an absurdity that the abortion industry would be her adviser. It is a conflict of interest that corporate Big Abortion could increase their wealth by guiding this child into an abortion. No, let us make certain that Big Abortion stays out of this equation.

Bruce McPherson deserves to be elected as secretary of state. When appointed, he had 100 percent support from both houses of the Legislature. Obviously, he is well respected. This is basically a nonpartisan office. His major responsibility is to oversee elections. He has done a good job. Elect Bruce McPherson.

— Jack Brewer, Simi Valley

I would be remiss if I did not publicly support Mark Van Dam for the position of city councilman of Moorpark!

I am the band/choral director at Mesa Verde Middle School, and I have had the luck and pleasure of having Mr. Van Dam as my booster club president for going on three years. He spearheaded a group of amazing parents who reorganized and revitalized the booster club, which is imperative to operate the music program at Mesa and had been previously collapsed. Because of his leadership, ideas and follow-through, the Mesa Music Boosters raise an annual budget of $16,000 for the program that serves more than 150 music students as well as the school and neighborhood community.

Tuesday, vote for Mark Van Dam and Janice Parvin for Moorpark City Council.

Much has been written about Janice, so I hope to tell you a little about Mark.

Mark was a Los Angeles County deputy sheriff for 10 years. At the end of his career, he chased a suspect trying to evade arrest. During the chase, he severely injured his knee and had to go off duty. After six surgeries, he medically retired from the force.

Re: your Oct. 26 article, “Gaming tribes aid Stricklands�:

The headline told the story in just four words.

Reading on, I discovered that both Tony and Audra Strickland — candidates for state controller and the 37th Assembly District, respectively, who profess to be fiscal conservatives and a repository of family values — just can't say no when it comes to the color green ($1 million of the little greenbacks, in fact).

Re: your Oct. 26 editorial, “Ferial Masry for 37th Assembly�:

Although I often disagree with The Star’s editorial opinions and endorsements, I am pleased to see it supports Ferial Masry for the 37th Assembly District.

Unfortunately, Audra Strickland’s “string of accomplishments� is rather shallow, and her neoconservative views are neither what the state nor the nation needs at the moment. I am also quite concerned about the significant financial support she and her husband have received from Indian gaming. Such contributions cannot help but wield some influence that may not be in the majority’s best interest.

Re: your Oct. 26 article, “Gaming tribes aid Stricklands�:

I see that the gaming tribes are using their massive funds to back the campaigns of Tony and Audra Strickland. And, of course, these family-values Republicans welcome the money.

Re: your Oct. 26 editorial, “Ferial Masry for 37th Assembly�:

Congratulations on The Star’s recognition of Ferial Masry, a truly intelligent and passionate candidate. She will surely bring a much-needed change to state politics in the 37th Assembly District. I look forward to her victory Tuesday.

— Norm Bauer, Camarillo

Re: Mark B. Webster's Oct. 9 letter, "Unification the only issue":

Mark Webster was correct: The election for Pleasant Valley School District trustees is a one-issue vote. Fortunately, there are still parents, grandparents and voters who understand the real issue: the children.

The current board has a majority of members who have forgotten the children and have focused with a disabling case of tunnel vision on unification. More than $300,000 has been spent on this bogged-down process while the schools suffer the ultimate price.

I will be voting against Proposition 86, the smoking tax.

I quit smoking six years ago. Back then, the taxes were already quite high, yet when I wanted to quit, there weren’t any free patches of gum available. I had to quit on my own. One would think that the people who are so down on smokers would make sure that there would be services offered to help smokers quit.

I think that they don’t really want them to quit. They just want the money for whatever pet project they want to fund. The hypocrisy reeks more than the smoke does!

I know Conejo Valley school board candidate John Short from having worked with his wife, Susan, for many years at Lang Ranch Elementary and having two sons play in Thousand Oaks Little League while they were growing up. Not only are both Susan and John dedicated to their children, but they are committed to serving Conejo Valley’s youth by volunteering their time and energy to community services.

The upcoming election is a very important one for the Simi Valley Unified School District. We urge the voters of Simi Valley to elect Thurlow Partridge and Eric Lundstrom to the Simi Valley school board on Nov. 7.

I am writing in support of Jim Meredith for re-election to the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Board.

I have had the pleasure of working with Jim for the past six years on local and statewide issues relating to parks, recreation and open space. I can tell you firsthand how hard Jim works on behalf of the constituents he serves.

Jim Meredith is a true asset to the community and the parks and recreation field. I have been honored to work with Jim and call him a friend, and he has earned our support for re-election.

As a 25-year-plus resident of Thousand Oaks and a voter, it is pathetic to see candidates making false promises and sound bites to get elected.

What's particularly appalling is the "letter-writing assault." People believe the best way to get elected in Thousand Oaks is to send a letter to the local papers and assert why you should or shouldn't vote for a particular candidate. For the most part, the letter writer either supports the candidate or does not. Who cares?

Re: Dorothy Hage’s Oct. 23 letter, “Proposition unarguable�:

Hage's spin on Proposition 85 defies logic. A decent civilized society does not pass legislation that drives pregnant minors into the hands of illegal abortionists.
Read about Becky Bell, from a near perfect home http://www.ms4c.org/update/598bell.htm. Use your online browser to look up Spring Adams in Idaho.

It is crucial to the welfare of the daughter, the family and the nation that each parent provides an environment that fosters open, healthy communication about sexuality and pregnancy.

During the last several weeks, many residents have been calling me to ask which Moorpark City Council candidates actively worked with me and Mayor Patrick Hunter to help us defeat the North Park housing project in February.

As most of you know, Moorpark residents voted against North Park by a 3-to-1 margin.

There is only one candidate currently running for City Council who worked hard with us and scores of other volunteers to defeat North Park, and that was Bob Peskay.

I would like to remind voters of the Ventura County Community College District board of trustees election on the November ballot. This is a race that has not received much publicity but is important for the governance of the local colleges.

Our local community colleges provide a quality education for students, whether they want to complete their general education requirements to transfer to a university or obtain vocational training to enter the labor market. To maintain this quality, it is important that the governing board work together to ensure that resources are directed to instruction and services for students.

After four nights of interviews, the Simi Educators Association selected to endorse Thurlow Partridge and Eric Lundstrom for the Simi Valley school board, Donna Prenta for the Ventura County Board of Education and Jim Dantona for Ventura County supervisor.

I am writing this letter to strongly encourage readers to vote for Donna Prenta for Ventura County Board of Education. Her remarkable energy and enthusiasm, as well as her creative, out-of-the-box collaborative approach to problem-solving, are all directed towards enhancing opportunities for school-age children.

Re: Deroy Murdock’s Oct. 24 commentary, “Bush’s message to Republicans: Time to get with it�:

I smiled as I read this column about how the Dow Jones has hit record territory, how unemployment is at a five-year low, how inflation is only 2.1 percent and how America has not been attacked by terrorists since that terrible day in 2001 — and how all this good news was the Republicans' fault.

We are writing this letter in support of David Schlangen, candidate for Camarillo City Council.

We have known David since we arrived in Camarillo in 1979, and he is a young man of exceptional character and talent. David has lived in Camarillo for 31 years. He progressed through our city’s school system and went on to UC Santa Barbara, where he graduated in 1995. He now is employed at Amgen.

As a parent of a Camarillo High School student and an active member in the Pleasant Valley school system, I feel we need a fresh perspective at City Hall.

Many issues come before our City Council, but few are as important as our kids’ education. A strong education system maintains our housing values, attracts business and lowers crime.

The re-election of Tom Holden as mayor of Oxnard is critical to the well-being of our community. Through his leadership, Holden has implemented effective measures that continue resolving many of our city’s priority issues: safety, affordable housing, employment and the rebuilding of downtown. Most important, he has assured the city retain a healthy, balanced budget.

With all the corruption scandals rocking the nation's capital, one would expect candidates for public office to be especially mindful of ethical issues this season. Unfortunately, two Republicans from our area don't seem to understand that appearances and ethics matter.

First, we found out that Audra and Tony Strickland were essentially trading campaign funds, writing big checks from their campaign accounts to the each other’s campaign accounts under some sort of "consulting" arrangement. An official investigation was triggered because of significant questions of legality and ethics.

Interesting fact: The decision to put unification to a vote resides with our county or state, not the Pleasant Valley School District board.

Letters demanding that we need board members who will put unification to a vote are simply out of touch with reality. The county or state will decide if the criteria for unification have been met before allowing Camarillo to vote on it. The PVSD board has nothing to do with this process.

I support three local candidates running for the Pleasant Valley School Board: Patty Lerner, Ron Speakman and Jennifer Miller. I have been involved with schools in Camarillo for the last 16 years. I have served on various school site councils at four local schools. I have served on local PTA boards 14 of those 16 years. I have watched hundreds of school board meetings. I have attended Oxnard Union High School District board meetings to be informed about things going on in our local high school.

At this year's Back to School Night at Los Primeros Structured School, in almost every classroom I went to, the teachers requested the parents' help with the purchase of classroom supplies. These requests were for items as basic as copy machine paper. I recently learned from a teacher that there is a new mandatory social studies curriculum that is DVD-based and that only two classrooms at Los Primeros have DVD players. One was donated by a family, and the other is a teacher's personal DVD player.

As a 41-year resident of Camarillo, I am writing to remind voters that the upcoming election for the Pleasant Valley School District board of trustees is to elect board members who will be responsible for running the current K-8 district. The district is not a unified district at this time, and board members should not be acting as if it is or soon will be. They should have only one agenda, and that is to ensure our K-8 students are receiving the best education possible under existing district policies.

I attended the forum held for the Pleasant Valley School District board candidates. Kim Marra Stephenson and John Alamillo are clearly the two who will do the best for our students.

There are many education issues to deal with in Camarillo — unification just happens to be the most contentious one. I have been hearing about unification since I moved here 16 years ago, and the issue has still not been resolved. No one doubts that the ongoing bickering has cost us precious funds and moved our attention from other important matters. It is foolish think that further delays will change this.

I recently received campaign literature from John Alamillo, who is running for re-election to the Pleasant Valley School District board. He stated that he “believes in a planned path to unification.�

Re: Greg Moses’ Oct. 26 letter, “Partridge wrong person�:

I am appalled that The Star has chosen to print a damaging and unsupported allegation against Thurlow Partridge, a candidate for the Simi Valley Unified School District board. The letter writer has chosen to make this allegation at a time too late to prove or refute the charges. Isn't it interesting that Moses would allow decades to pass and then accuse Partridge in a letters forum? The Star should investigate Moses' charges and publish the results before the election.

John Short will make a wonderful addition to the Conejo Valley Unified School District board. His ties to the area are many, and his service to the youth of the Conejo Valley is exemplary. After graduating from California Lutheran University a number of years ago, he chose to remain in this wonderful valley. Not only did he remain in the area, he became involved in the community.

As president of the Thousand Oaks Little League, he has exhibited his leadership skills — skills that include an ability to get things done while maintaining great relationships with the people he is guiding. He gets along with others and finds solutions to problems. His positive attitude is infectious.

John Short will make a wonderful addition to the Conejo Valley Unified School District board. His ties to the area are many, and his service to the youth of the Conejo Valley is exemplary. After graduating from California Lutheran University a number of years ago, he chose to remain in this wonderful valley. Not only did he remain in the area, he became involved in the community.

As president of the Thousand Oaks Little League, he has exhibited his leadership skills — skills that include an ability to get things done while maintaining great relationships with the people he is guiding. He gets along with others and finds solutions to problems. His positive attitude is infectious.

I have known Tim Stephens since he joined the staff at Meadows Elementary School in 1983 as the school’s principal. During Stephens’ 14 years at Meadows, I remained part of his exceptional staff, and the years were extremely rewarding for me as a teacher as I grew professionally. Today, I am a master teacher, consultant and have mentored beginning and veteran teachers.

Under Stephens’ leadership, Meadows received the California Top 100 School Award, the California Distinguished School award, and, in 1997, the National Blue Ribbon award. This prestigious award, a first in the Conejo Valley, was a well-deserved acknowledgment and tribute to his excellence as an administrator.

It has come to my attention that school board member Mike Dunn is trying to create discord at Cypress Elementary School. One and a half years ago, our principal, Jennifer Boone, was transferred to another school after being at Cypress for only one year. This decision wasn’t a random transfer, but a well thought-out plan. She has extraordinary talent in her field, and there was a legitimate need for her expertise at another school.

We were sorry to see Boone go, but in her place, we received a terrific, professional and dedicated new principal named Jeanne Valentine. The transfers were smooth and without incident.

Letters and advertisements creating the impression that the local teachers association controls the school board are far from accurate. These ads, calling us "union bosses," have been purchased to spread propaganda and smear candidates. The Unified Association of Conejo Teachers, California School Employees Association and Conejo Valley Pupil Personnel Association consist of teachers, counselors and school workers who volunteer our time. To call us "union bosses" is absurd.

It has been a tumultuous two years for the school board of the Conejo Valley Unified School District. For what has traditionally been a nonpartisan body, Mike Dunn has introduced an extreme version of partisan politics through his limited “either-or,� “black-or-white� way of thinking.

Dunn is notorious for demonstrating his polarized biases. In one recent outrageous leap-of-logic allegation, Dunn said the teachers union “promote[s] homosexuality.� There are more appropriate ways to raise concerns than to continually make irresponsible and inflammatory accusations.

The Conejo Valley Unified School District is in the top 10 percent of all schools in the state, with 26 California Distinguished Schools and nine National Blue Ribbon Schools. Our Academic Performance Index scores average 846. We attribute our success to fine teachers, caring parents and a school board that works hard to ensure our children obtain the best education possible.

Nov. 7, this community will elect three school board members. We hope you choose candidates who will work to prepare our children to be active, participating members of our adult society: Pat Phelps, Tim Stephens and John Short.

Councilwoman Claudia Bill-de la Peña and Planning Commissioner Janet Wall are smart, independent leaders who are not afraid to say no to big developers. Claudia and Janet have a proven record against overdevelopment proposals that bring more traffic and longer commutes to Conejo Valley residents.

Vote for the two candidates who are also truly dedicated to completing the ring of green around the City of Thousand Oaks. Vote for Claudia Bill-de la Peña and Janet Wall!

— Mary E. Wiesbrock, Agoura Hills
(The writer is chair of the Save Open Space/Santa Monica Mountains. — Editor)

John Short is a proven leader in the community. Not only is he respected in Thousand Oaks, but also throughout Ventura County.

John Short has been involved with Thousand Oaks Little League for the past 10 years and has served as league president for the past five years.

This coming election is very important to me. I've lived in the community for more than 25 years and have known Bob Wilson for 17 of those years. He and his wife, Linda, are the most generous people I know. Every year, St. Paschal Baylon Church has a fundraiser, and Bob is very generous with his donations from Cisco’s Mexican Restaurant. Linda helped start the American Heart Association chapter in Westlake, and again, every year Bob would generously donate.

Anyone who has lived in Simi Valley or Moorpark for a decent amount of time knows that Jim Dantona is a fiscal car crash. The newspapers have reported often on his two personal bankruptcies, closure of his first lobbying company due to one of the bankruptcies and the massive administrative costs by his nonprofit organization.

We cannot afford a car crash for the County of Ventura. County government has a very limited budget and a considerable amount of costly mandates from the state and federal government. One misstep fiscally could put our county government behind by years.

Peter Foy is not a politician but rather a solid, respected businessman.

As a non-politician, Foy will bring a fresh, refreshing, healthy approach to solving the problems of our county bureaucracy.

Foy is a first-class, dedicated citizen and family man who cares deeply for our community.

I cannot fathom why communities like Simi Valley and Moorpark would ever support someone who has made a living as a lobbyist. Local residents know better than to trust someone who carries the “L-word� as part of his title.

Make no mistake, Jim Dantona is a lobbyist. He registers with the state as a lobbyist whenever the right corporation dangles dollars in front of him.

I received Peter Foy’s mailer during the primary regarding his stance on illegal immigration. Part of his plan involves an essential audit of county government to stop illegal aliens from receiving benefits. While this may seem harsh, I feel that we cannot issue a “blank check� to illegals at the expense of our own residents. I’m certainly not suggesting that emergency care be denied to immigrants; however, something must be done to stem the tide of costs incurred throughout Ventura County.

We can’t trust Jim Dantona with this crucial issue. Nothing I’ve seen so far from the Dantona camp leads me to believe he will take the hard stance and go against his Democratic friends and clients. Hopefully, we won’t have to find out.

— Shannon Gauthier, Simi Valley

I have known John Glen DiGuiseppe for more than 10 years, and I have always admired his drive and passion to be successful in everything he does — for example, his dedication to our Neighborhood Watch program. John was not the first person to enhance public safety, but he is the first person that I know of who made it more effective.

I have been a resident of this community for more than 30 years. During that time, I have seen many individuals come and go who have run for the office of Thousand Oaks City Council. Many of these persons have been one-issue candidates — individuals who have no idea about the governing process at large or about looking at the big picture.

I will not vote for Andy Fox despite the scripted campaign letters in The Star, the big expensive signs and his nonsensical claims that he is slow growth.

Council member Claudia Bill-de la Peña and Planning Commission Chair Janet Wall have consistently voted to uphold the general plan, follow our own laws and maintain their independence and integrity. These are qualifications that separate them from the rest of the pack running for office.

Bill-de la Peña was the only council member who thought the late Ed Masry's replacement should be decided by the voters in an election. Unfortunately, our voices were never heard by Fox and Gillette, as they thought they could get away with appointing a like-minded crony instead of complying with Masry's wishes.

Just one year ago, more than 150 seniors residing in a retirement community here in Thousand Oaks were facing shocking rent increases proposed by the new owners. The events were followed by all levels of government and showed the need for state law to protect seniors from unrestrained greed and legal gouging.

I am proud to say that our City Council was united in its concern for the seniors facing this dilemma. In particular, two council members stood out in their response and actions to resolve this situation.

I watched the candidates forum hosted by the League of Women Voters on Oct. 19. We all thank the league for its timely and informative presentation. I was very pleased to see nine candidates vying for three council positions! Democracy is alive and well in Thousand Oaks, and my regards to all of them for putting themselves and their ideas out there for the voters to see.

"Slow growth" has become a meaningless slogan. I see it on campaign signs for City Council candidates in Thousand Oaks who have a notoriously cozy relationship with local property developers.

I also see and hear that Thousand Oaks is in no danger of overdevelopment. Really? We are already approaching gridlock on Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Moorpark Road during business hours. A few more high-density housing projects in the area might just bring traffic to a complete stop.

Often promised, but seldom true, are "no-brainer" decisions in life. Voting yes on Measure P6 is one of those few times it's an easy choice. Among the most convincing proofs of the rightness of a yes vote are the feeble excuses offered against this much-needed measure.

Last November, we came close to losing our home to the School Canyon Fire. We were amazed, and extremely grateful, that no homes were lost in that fire.

The technology and training of the firefighters was evident as planes dropped fire retardant within 50 yards of our home, while firefighters created fire breaks on foot and by bulldozer. We have no doubt that we would have lost our home if not for these efforts.

Re: Robert J. Alviani's Oct. 2 commentary, "Tax wrong solution for police, fire forces":

After reading Robert Alviani's letter and the Voter Pamphlet argument against Measure P6, I set about learning more about this admittedly important issue concerning provision for public safety and security. The results were quite revealing.

Mr. Alviani’s contention that a suit was filed to "silence their view and ... hide something" was incorrect and disingenuous. Only after the opposition refused to amend misleading and erroneous statements in the argument’s wording was the court petitioned on amending the context of the argument, which it ordered!

I am urging people I speak with to vote yes on Measure P6, the public safety measure on the local Ventura ballot.

I believe our police and fire chief when I hear them speak, on their off-duty time, about how and why we need this measure. I have seen how well both organizations work in our community, and I want to do my part by supporting this measure to add 11 new firefighters and 14 new police officers to their ranks.

It appears there is a conspiracy between major media outlets and the Democratic National Committee to steal the Congress this November. The latest October surprise is the so-called page scandal, in which a Republican house member from Florida, Mark Foley, resigns, and House Majority Leader Dennis Hastert is implicated for failing to act sooner.

What is Hastert supposed to do? If he censures Foley, he will be labeled by the media as anti-gay, a bigot and unsuitable for leadership in our culture of "diversity." So he does nothing and is now taking heat for not "protecting" the pages.

We are at a crossroads, and there are three important choices for us to make come the November election. We cannot afford to leave the existing council in place. If Measure L6 does not pass, we will see another large-scale development proposed for Fagan — one that you will not likely get to vote on.

I would like to voice my support for two candidates to the Port Hueneme City Council.

Phil Thomason has shown the ability to listen carefully to his neighbors and provide thoughtful and productive problem-solving. He has taken the time to be involved in community issues, and his contributions have been sage and balanced. He believes that a City Council should be responsive to the community it serves and not the other way around. This bilingual candidate will be a council member who stays in touch with his constituents.

I have not seen a more united council in more than 30 years than the current Santa Paula City Council. They and our city manager, Wally Bobkiewicz, take the bull by the horns, study and discuss issues, ask for public input and use that input concurrently with the analyzed documentation of the many reports they review. They work very hard at making it all work for the betterment of all the community.

This council does not shelve issues. They put it on the table, get consultation, have public meetings and go to work at making it happen.

Letter-writers in support of re-electing Councilmen Andy Fox and Dennis Gillette cite how many years they've been in office, what clubs they belong to or how long their parents have lived here.

I submit these are no barometer of good leadership or representing the will of the people.

To hold a successful democratic election, first you need trained election officers. As a former election officer, I can appreciate the hard work and effort required to make the polling site user-friendly and as efficient as possible. Thank you to all those who have served or will be doing so in the future.

The second ingredient is candidates for various offices. This is one of the most essential components of the election. Thank you to all those who have made themselves available to serve, because without them, our system of government would not be possible.

I find the recent mailers from Claudia Bill-de la Peña and Janet Wall to be completely misleading. The only disrespect involving the Thousand Oaks City Council comes from the supporters of those two candidates. We all know who they are — the same half-dozen council regulars, angry and self-important, who spew any accusation they can think of at council members who have too much class and respect for the office to respond. The speakers attack while Bill-de la Peña and Wall pretend they don’t know who the speakers are. Fortunately, the rest of us do.

— Moss Davis, Thousand Oaks

In this modern era of politics — characterized by extreme polarization and an unfortunate lack of trust in anyone who steps up to a podium — it is refreshing when you can throw your support behind someone you know, trust and share a set of core values with. Mark Van Dam is such a candidate.

Dean Kunicki and Mary Louise Peterson have my vote of confidence and appreciation for the work they have done on behalf of the voters, taxpayers, school districts, teachers and students of Ventura County. I urge their constituents to vote for them for another four-year term to the Ventura County Board of Education. Thousand Oaks area trustee Marty Bates is unopposed for re-election.

Re: your Oct. 21 article, “Proposition 87�:

This article contained information that was misleading and could cause confusion to The Star’s readers. The table on Page A12 titled "Oil taxes, top producing states, 2005" indicates that California, among all the "top oil producers," does not have a tax on oil.

At every election, there is always an array of propositions, and this one is no exception.

Once again, it is hit the smoker and the property owner. However, we have never seen one asking for a higher tax on alcohol. Practically every week there is a news story concerning accidents by drunken drivers who have killed or severely maimed innocent people. We think it is time for them to help out the hospitals.

Re: your Oct. 23 editorial, “‘My space’ part of new directive�:

Oh great, Bush has done it again. And this time he tried to sneak it in "under the radar."

Basically, his new space policy is a declaration of war on the rest of the human race. 
If you don't think so, then answer three questions.

Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger spent millions of dollars on a special election, costing our counties and cities money we couldn't afford. The issues weren't high priority and could have waited for this election. He called California's basic working force — teachers, police, nurses and firefighters — special interests. He promised to fix our budget but hasn't. He called opposition politicians names.

Re: John Fonti’s Oct. 19 letter, "City needs term limits":

Fonti wrote the letter that I have been intending to write for several months. I can't think of any political entity that needs term limits more than Thousand Oaks.

His letter implies that some of our local leaders have become arrogant and excessive. This may cause resentment in some readers and cloud the issue of term limits in their minds.

Vote for Janna Orkney for Triunfo Sanitation District director. Janna will push for water conservation programs, sound environmental policies and fiscal policies with serious and conservative financial oversight of TDS’s $12 million to $15 million reserve fund.

As an interested citizen, Janna discovered a substantial inequity in TSD’s reclaimed water price structure. Lake Sherwood was paying a much lower price per gallon than Oak Park Unified School District. Janna brought this to the TSD board and ultimately caused TSD to stop subsidizing Lake Sherwood’s golf venue with OPUSD dollars.

I want to help set the record straight about Louis Masry running for City Council in the town of Moorpark. My wife and I live in Moorpark and own a small business in Thousand Oaks. We have friends and loved ones in both towns.

Janet Wall and Claudia Bill-de la Peña are needed on the City Council to retain the semi-rural nature of our community. If we wanted big buildings along Thousand Oaks Boulevard, the traffic that comes along with it and, yes, the smog that follows, then Andy Fox and Dennis Gillette would be our choice.

Wall and Bill-de la Peña listen, understand and react to the needs expressed by the citizens. They believe businesses should serve the community, not disrupt residential communities by traffic, noise or other problems.

I see in my latest property-tax bill that there is an additional assessment of $28 for the Dos Vientos homes. These are all $1 million-plus homes. Why are we, who live in much more modest homes throughout the city, subsidizing them?

If I were running for office in this city, I would not mention I was an incumbent who pushed this extra tax through behind our backs.

— Bob Hughes, Thousand Oaks

The council race is getting pretty bad in Thousand Oaks when, during the night, the signs are removed from private property. We now have had them taken from our front yard. This is a serious attack on Claudia Bill-de la Peña and Janet Wall.

Let us hope this race will be a clean race for all.

— Ted R. Anderson, Newbury Park

Measure Z is more than just the approval of a Lowe’s Home Center. It falls right into the basis of our country and a free-enterprise system, one that thrives on competition and the freedom of choice. The use of this property to build a hardware store at this location will surely be a benefit to all in the area.

I had never been in a Lowe’s, so I visited both the Simi Valley and Canoga Park Lowe’s stores and was impressed with the quality of merchandise, selection and helpfulness of the employees. I have lived in the Conejo Valley for more than 30 years, and we have seen a number of hardware stores come and go. How many of us remember Holiday Hardware, Builders Emporium and the Ace hardware store?

The campaign slogan in favor of H6 says, “Repair Oak Park schools without raising taxes.�

First, $71 million is an obscene amount of money and, in my opinion, it represents a gross excess in funding for the needs of this small district.

Time and time again, we hear Pleasant Valley School District unification opponents saying that the PVSD board needs to drop the "one issue" tunnel vision on unification and get back to PVSD business. To this I ask: Which one issue?

Unification is so much more than just "one issue." To Camarillo, it means taking hold of our children's educational process and moving forward. It is taking control of our own fiscal house. It is independence, and it is the next logical step for our community to raise the bar for our children.

Re: your Oct. 19 article, “Five candidates cite priorities�:

This article cited the concerns of the candidates running for the Pleasant Valley School District board. It is interesting that candidate John Alamillo states that he supports the unification issue but that we need to act responsibly.

I received a real education from the Oct. 16 Pleasant Valley School District board candidates forum.

I learned that proponents of unification believe it brings an additional $6 million to our schools. I learned from Jennifer Miller that our K-8 budget is $50 million annually, of which 85 percent is salaries. I learned we have some of the lowest-paid teachers and we need to raise those salaries. And we need to fund more programs in our schools because enrichment programs have already been cut drastically. All this was agreed by the unification trio — Ron Speakman, Miller and Patty Lerner.

Last week, I was surprised to receive an endorsement mailer for the "unification slate" of candidates from former Pleasant Valley School District Superintendent Howard Hamilton. I was also shocked because the former superintendent is retired and now lives out of state. As an experienced superintenent, I was surprised to see him endorse a group of "one issue" candidates.

Re: Robert Borrego’s Oct. 23 letter, "Development stand puzzles":

I, too, was at the Santa Paula City Council candidates forum, and it truly puzzles me how Mr. Borrego came to his conclusions about Bob Gonzales, Ralph Fernandez and Fred Robinson being for controlled development in Adams Canyon and supporting Measure L6 at the same time. They were the only candidates there that made it clear that they supported limited growth and that the final approval for any type of development should be in the hands of all the people of Santa Paula — which we will have with the passage of Measure L6 — and not just the sitting arrogant council.

Recently the Casitas Municipal Water District lost the first round of a lawsuit against the federal government in its claim that the people of the United States owes the district for the construction of the Robles fish passage and the water released downstream to enable the steelhead trout to once again swim upstream and spawn. The lawsuit has cost the ratepayers nearly $400,000 to date, and there is much more cost anticipated.

This lawsuit is labeled a “takings claim,� in that the district says the government is taking its water and forcing it to give it back to the watershed ecosystem.

Bob Taylor is a valued member of the Rotary Club of Camarillo. He has been actively involved in local Rotary fundraisers since joining the club in April 2000. He is accessible and readily available to assist in fundraising, youth activities and many leadership positions as committee chairperson. With his “can do� attitude and smiling face, he accomplishes more than most. His approach to life is enviable and breeds confidence among his peers.

The Ventura County Office of Education is now considered one of the top county offices of education in California. This recognition has come from the California County Boards of Education as well as the California School Boards Association.

In the past, the Simi Valley and Moorpark areas of our county have had very poor representation on our board, with practically no contributions to our policies and goals.

I am a retired teacher with more than 30 years in the classroom, a mother of two and grandmother of three, and I have lived in Southern California all my life. For the first time, I am actively supporting a political candidate: Ferial Masry.

Candidate for the 37th Assembly District, Masry shares my concerns about California’s future and offers a refreshingly new perspective about how to keep our state strong. Ferial Masry knows that California’s future is reliant on better educating our children. She wants to streamline the state’s education bureaucracy and create a system where California’s students receive a larger piece of the budgetary pie and where high school and college graduates enter the working world with the tools that employers want.

I recently read a sleazy campaign brochure sent out by the Audra Strickland camp to voters who declined to state their party. This negative piece of literature was designed to put Ferial Masry in a bad light. It accuses her of intending to raise your taxes and supporting drivers licenses for illegal aliens and being out of touch with the voters. It’s the same old tired message. They even put a not-so-complimentary picture on the brochure.

I read in a recent interview where Peter Foy admitted to being a member of a group called the Council for National Policy. I am always interested to find out what these organizations are, as the reporting entity did not let us know, and I had never heard of the organization.

The amount of hatred lately in politics compels me to write this letter.

Two persons are running for county supervisor for the east end of the county: Peter Foy, who is a successful businessman and longtime resident, and Jim Dantona.

Foy has proven he can run a successful business and meet obligations.

Dantona, on the other hand, is a political consultant who has worked for the likes of our only recalled governor, Gray Davis, who nearly bankrupted the state.

The Simi Valley Unified School District board race includes a number of candidates vying for two open seats. While I will move forward in a positive and productive manner regardless of who fills the empty seats, I urge voters to consider the candidates carefully before casting votes. While any adult citizen in Simi Valley can throw their hat in the ring, a truly qualified candidate will display a keen depth of knowledge regarding our schools and public education in general. Most important, since they are seeking a position that represents public education, a truly qualified candidate will vocalize efforts to strengthen our public schools, not work against them.

One of the more important decisions Moorpark and Simi Valley voters will make on Nov. 7 is to elect the next Ventura County Board of Education member to represent District 4. As the last elected member to this position, I can tell you that our county schools educate the most fragile of our special-needs students and the most troubled at-risk students in our community and court schools. The position is difficult and demanding, but our choice is a simple one.

Donna Prenta has been a professional Ventura County child advocate and case manager for the last 14 years. Her opponent, Dean Kunicki, is a political appointee with no past experience helping children.

I have known Donna Prenta for 16 years and feel she is a well-qualified candidate for the Ventura County Board of Education.

She currently works as a case manager for special needs students and assists them to get the services they need within the county school system. She has raised four children in the Simi Valley Unified School District. Her focus will be to identify at-risk students and assist to get the services needed. She will fight to get resources into the school districts. Her experience as a student advocate makes her sensitive to both the needs of the school and of the student.

If anybody ever watched the movie “The Invisible Man,� the great movie effect was a suit walking with the appearance of nothing inside the suit. The 4th District Ventura County Supervisor's race reminds me of that movie. Peter Foy, candidate in this election, has, for two straight election cycles, managed to avoid any public forums or provide any substance to the issues he has brought up.

Peter Foy is the invisible man. He skated into the lead in the primary election because he allowed the other two candidates to talk specifics and debate each other, while he put out feel-good sound bites.

Approximately five months ago, I expressed my continued dismay at County Supervisor Judy Mikels' policies on growth in our community. It was clear to this community that Ms. Mikels would support any development project, but specifically those that did not fit our community. Ms. Mikels' support of out-of-scale development and her lack of knowledge of smart growth led to her downfall in the primary election to two challengers.

I attended the Oct. 17 candidates forum in Thousand Oaks. It was informative as well as impressive.

Here is what I learned: The newcomer short-timers moved here because we have such a lovely community, but now we are going in the wrong direction! These Johnny-come-latelies are afraid we are going to eventually look like Van Nuys. Give me a break! These guys messed up their previous community and now they want to apply that expertise here!

I am the mother of three school-age children. I have attended several Conejo Valley Unified School District board meetings in the past couple of years. It is encouraging to see Greg Lennox, John Anderson and Mike Dunn run for the board.

I know all three of these men. They are leaders in our community and possess the skills needed on the school board. All three men are committed to making sure that the needs and preferences of parents are heard and understood and are dedicated to create channels for parent input to the board. It is also important to note that not one of these gentlemen has accepted contributions from special interest groups. Their allegiance is to the parents and children of this community.

As a county supervisor and past mayor of the city of Thousand Oaks, I encourage you to re-elect Claudia Bill-de la Peña and vote for Janet Wall. They don't just talk slow growth, they vote for it on the council and Planning Commission, respectively.

Claudia is the only council member who defended your right to vote for who should fill a council vacancy. Janet is the only commissioner who said no to developing the top of Mount Clef Ridge with a 7,700-square-foot mansion. We need their voices on the City Council. They know that development brings more traffic, and they don't support giving tax dollars to developers to build bigger projects.

The city of Thousand Oaks is a family-oriented community. We value our schools, our parks and other recreational facilities because we want well-educated and healthy children. On National Walk to School Day, all of the council members were invited to support these principles by participating in the walk-to-school event at one of the local elementary schools. Claudia Bill-de la Peña was there with her two boys. The mayor and two other council members attended. The Star took photos. You won't find Waldo in the pictures or Andy Fox.

Perhaps Mr. Fox was playing golf that morning with one of the out-of-town developers who contributed to his campaign chest.

My family will be voting for Andy Fox on Election Day.

We have known Andy for many years and are well acquainted with his honesty and integrity. Moreover, he is always available to his local constituents despite great demands on his time. He was instrumental in assisting our homeowners’ association when we had questions and needed a clear path of communication. He came to our meetings, hosted a coffee for us at our local community center and was always available by phone when we needed him.

Re: Virginia Davis’ Oct. 20 letter, “People with vision�:

Some people continue to amaze me. Ms. Davis claims that this city is great because of great councils of the past. What makes us such a safe city is the citizenry that adds to the eyes and ears of the police. No one moves into Thousand Oaks because they think we have a great council. In fact, it is the opposite.

Ms. Davis lumps the Tom Glancy crony appointment with other appointments. The devil is in the details. At a minimum, someone who shared Ed Masry's philosophy should have been appointed until either the July or November election.

We need to vote for the people who will give us back our power, our ethics and our opportunity to preserve what is left of nature and the appeal of a semi-rural community. We need to vote for those willing to give a listening ear to our opinions and requests for a more family- and citizen-oriented community. Let’s elect a council that demands affordable housing built by developers, a council that protects our open space from huge mansions in wildlife corridors, a council that does not deviate from our general plan to accommodate developers.

I support the re-election of Thousand Oaks City Council member Andy Fox for many reasons, and his commitment to the Conejo open space system tops the list. Without his vision and ability to bring opposing forces together, the Western Plateau would probably have been developed by now, changing the character of Wildwood Park and the Hill Canyon open space forever. Instead, the land now belongs to us all. And that's just one of the many open space initiatives he has introduced as a member of the City Council and during his 12 years as a Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency director.

Our family has lived in Thousand Oaks for almost 40 years. We have seen this community grow and develop into a dynamic, safe and beautiful city surrounded by 15,000 acres of open space. Council members Andy Fox and Dennis Gillette are dedicated public servants who have helped make Thousand Oaks this jewel in the Conejo Valley. Join me in re-electing Fox and Gillette to the Thousand Oaks City Council on Nov. 7.

— Tim Schutz, Thousand Oaks

Re: the Oct. 20 Rep. Elton Gallegly letters:

Every election year, the same kinds of people write the same kinds of negative letters against our winning Rep. Elton Gallegly, and The Star prints them just before every election.

Re: Barbara Simons’ Oct. 20 letter, "Not helping people":

Ms. Simons is upset with Rep. Elton Gallegly for reducing our tax burden, not because she objects to reduced taxes, but because she wants the reduction to go to special people only — Ms. Simons’ poor, poor daughter, for example.

As a regular donor to the Humane Society, I am very dismayed by the recent ad in The Star supporting Rep. Elton Gallegly.

I strongly support the Humane Society informing the public of the effect of pending legislation on animal welfare. Moreover, while many voters may know about a candidate's stand on the war in Iraq or gay marriage, it may be helpful for the Humane Society to educate voters regarding all major candidates’ views on animal welfare.

Lately I have noticed something literally missing on the political landscape. For the first time since I moved into the 24th Congressional District, I do not see a veritable forest of Elton Gallegly for Congress signs sprouting up in every city-owned tree well, among other places.

This paucity of signs made me wonder what is going on in the Gallegly camp. Why are they not out there planting those signs?

Re: Cheryl Kingsley’s Oct. 20 letter, “Gallegly should pay for ad�:

This letter writer was critical of the Humane Society Legislative Fund for our endorsement and advertisement supporting U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly. HSLF works to educate voters and legislators about animal protection issues and to support humane candidates for public office. HSLF endorses and supports candidates based solely and exclusively on their record of support for animal protection issues.

The Humane Society — or at least their surrogates in Washington, D.C. — ran a full-page, countywide ad endorsing Rep. Elton Gallegly for Congress. The ad cost more than $13,000, a sum that would have paid for a lot of neutering, spaying and cat food. The several pieces of legislation listed as rationale for this expenditure all received widespread support in the House. After all, who isn't against animal cruelty?

So why was such a large sum spent on a man who has a campaign fund 40 times bigger than his animal-loving, grass-roots opponent, Jill Martinez? He can obviously afford to pay for his own political ads.

Like me, are you just an average Joe working hard to provide for your family and trying to make ends meet? Like me, are you tired of excessive taxation on the citizenry? Like me, are you tired of excessive governmental spending, with us having to foot the bill?
If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, I encourage you to firmly place your hand over your wallet, and join me in voting no on propositions 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 84, 86, 87 and 88.

— Michael Kilpatrick, Oxnard

As I watch all the political campaigns, I cannot help but wonder about all those organizations opposing or approving various candidates and propositions. How many are valid, and how many are “fronts�. These are organizations with impressive-sounding names, which are organized for one purpose: to endorse candidates or propositions for anyone willing to pay the price. How about an investigation into this matter?

— Gracia Marks, Camarillo

This past week, I had the opportunity to hear representatives of the "No on P6" campaign present their views. Going in, I had already made up my mind, but I felt it would be good to hear the opposition. It was very disappointing that there was no alternative presented that was workable.

One proposal is to use funds that now are part of the city’s contingency funds. Anyone who has taken any business or management courses has learned that contingency funds should never be used for continuing expenses, such as salaries. They are for emergencies. If these funds were used the first year for salaries for the added police officers and firefighters, what would happen during years two, three, four, etc.?

Unification proponents have stated that certain board members are blocking an election. This is untrue. The Ventura County Committee on School District Organization or the state Board of Education will decide whether we vote.

Pleasant Valley School District has expended more than $300,000 on legal and consulting fees without satisfying the state criteria required for unification. Where will the Rio Mesa High School students be taught? Where will we get high school teachers? In an Adolfo Camarillo High School teachers survey, only 9 percent said they would change districts.

During the past year, as I have had the honor to serve with Bob Taylor as a Camarillo Chamber ambassador and board member of the Pleasant Valley Education Foundation, I have seen Bob’s commitment to both his family and to the city of Camarillo. Through his selfless service, friendly smile and passion for Camarillo, it is my great privilege to endorse Bob Taylor for City Council.

— Jefferson Ledgerwood, Camarillo

I find it interesting the way the city of Ventura has presented the need for a tax increase to the voters.

The problem with Measure P6 is that its premise is not believable. A more honest proposal would be for the City Council to promote a measure to raise our sales tax to support boondoggles and giveaways, such as the $500,000 being squandered by our elected tax-spenders on some kind of "seed" money.

The primary function of government is to provide for public safety, and police and fire departments should get all city money, if that is what is needed. For the city to cry poverty while giving away half a million dollars is an outrage.

I’ve spoken with Pleasant Valley School District board candidate Kim Stephenson directly and in a discussion atmosphere. I’m impressed with her credentials, including a Stanford Ph.D. in education and vast educational experience (see http://www.votekim.org), including teaching for more than 10 years, currently at-risk eighth graders.

She attended PVSD schools and is raising children in governance of our current PVSD board majority. They are a tight-knit group with one agenda in mind: Pursue unification at all costs, even at the expense of the students they were elected to govern, our K-8th graders.

I have known Rich Handley for more than 30 years and have considered him to be one of the most honest and sincere people I have ever had the pleasure of calling a friend.

By his actions alone in the Ojai Valley, people should recognize his name, his actions and his concerns. As director of the Ojai Land Conservancy, Rich worked tirelessly promoting a healthy land stewardship.

Rich has a deep conviction to add a high degree of integrity to the Casitas Water District board. With current board members Russ Baggerly and Pete Kaiser, the three should help to create the most proactive, common-sense board in years.

There is no diplomatic way to approach unification. It needs to be done — pure and simple. The matter is urgent.

I am in the unique situation of having a son just graduate from Adolfo Camarillo High School and one now a sophomore at Newbury Park High School. I have the advantage in that I cannot only compare school facilities, but teachers and syllabuses. Newbury Park High has great facilities — a pool, a theater, great athletic fields, locker rooms and an International Baccalaureate program that is superb. The classes are challenging and emulate my elder son’s college courses in educational technique.

I just attended a Conejo Valley Unified School District board candidates forum so I can become an informed voter. As a result of attending this forum, I developed a sense of who has the ability to bridge differences and work together for all the children attending our schools, and who I would like to see on the school board.

I have a concern about Mike Dunn. He repeatedly referred to “parents and taxpayers� taking control of “Christmas vacation.� He used this outdated reference for Winter Break constantly. I have lived in this community since 1992 and have always heard community leaders refer to this time off from school as Winter Break.

If we didn’t know better, one would think that the Conejo Valley is about to be paved over and soon to sprout high-rise buildings. Louis Masry and Claudia Bill-de la Peña’s campaigns seem to aim at misleading voters into thinking that Thousand Oaks is growing too fast.

The fact is that our city is nearly at residential buildout, with about 1,500 homes left to be built. The city is made up of 40 percent permanent open space, and more is acquired each year, not counting our parks and golf courses. The city has not allowed building on ridgelines for 20 years, yet Bill-de la Peña and Masry continue to try to create an issue where there is none.

There are some questions you need to ask about the motives of the candidates running for the Ventura County Board of Education.

Dean Kunicki, who was appointed to this position, is also a paid consultant to developer Colton Lee Communities, the same developers who proposed building 250 apartment units in the hillsides of the Santa Susana Knolls. Mr. Kunicki’s platform for this race is the need for affordable teacher housing. I am a teacher, and while I agree that this is a valid concern for teachers, I must question if this interest is more connected to Mr. Kunicki’s other job as a developer.

Opinions vary on what makes a good school board member. But when all is said and done — in campaign claims and critical rhetoric — it’s all about service to schools. It’s about experience instead of assertions; proven leadership over promises.

Peggy Buckles and incumbent Pat Phelps were already dedicated parent leaders in the Conejo district when I became a kindergarten parent in 1990. Respected leaders of their school parent groups and active participants on district committees, they did their homework, practiced sound fiscal management and advocated for policies that put our children first.

I have known Thurlow Partridge for 30 years, since he was my eighth-grade science teacher, and later as a colleague. Thurlow cares deeply about the Simi Valley Unified School District and the students in our schools. He deserves to be elected to the Simi school board.

Eric Lundstrom also deserves to be elected to the Simi Valley school board. His wife is a Simi Valley elementary teacher, and his children attend our schools. Eric understands the challenges facing teachers and our schools, and he is well-qualified to meet these challenges.

What is troubling to me about recent elections is the enormous efforts being made to buy individuals’ votes. Yes, many campaigns have strong evidence to support the fact that your vote is for sale. These campaigns are determined to buy your vote by using automated phone calls, TV ads, glossy mailings and street signs. As I drive around Thousand Oaks, I see many larger and more expensive signs this election year than last. I suspect those who post larger and more numerous signs as being candidates who think that they can buy your vote.

I am a proud five-year teaching veteran in the Conejo Valley Unified School District. It would be a disservice to the students and families of the Conejo Valley if incumbents Pat Phelps and Tim Stephens were not re-elected to our school board.

According to the California Department of Education's Web site, there are currently 6,312,393 students in California's public schools. In the Conejo, a little more than 22,000 attend our public schools. Our schools are in the top 10 percent of Academic Performance Index scores. Our curriculum encourages our students to meet the high standards and benchmarks defined by the state. We have a small dropout rate and a large passage rate for the California High School Exit Exam. Although we are not perfect, we are continually striving for excellence.

I strongly support the re-election of Andy Fox to the Thousand Oaks City Council.
As a former Thousand Oaks mayor, council member, planning commissioner, a principal author of the Measure A Growth Control Initiative and the individual who recommended the appointment of Andy to the Planning Commission at the time I served on the City Council, I believe I have a unique perspective of Andy’s dedication, intelligence and commitment to the citizens our city.

A dominating percentage of people who live in Simi Valley and Moorpark will tell you that they love their communities. The reasons are many, from quality of life to feeling safe to good schools and parks.

One huge reason is simple: It’s not Los Angeles.

Many of us fled communities in Los Angeles County because of its unresponsive and incompetent government, corruption and inability to care for its residents.

Mayor Dennis Gillette should be re-elected to the Thousand Oaks City Council for a third term.

Of the eight cities I have lived in for two or more years, Thousand Oaks — where my wife and I have lived since 1968 — is by far the nicest and best governed. It has been free from scandal — though, as expected in a healthy democracy, there are spirited differences of opinion — compared to the cities one reads about with graft, bribery, crimes committed by governmental officials and rising crime rates.

As an immigrant to this great land, I find it insulting that Andy Fox and Dennis Gillette took away my vote — my vote for Ed Masry. If they really wanted to appoint somebody, why didn’t they appoint someone who was an ally of Mr. Masry’s and who would have voted the same way, not the opposite?

Why didn’t they have Tom Glancy run for election to confirm his seat — because they knew he would lose?

Illegal immigration seems to have faded from the headlines in the national debate, but its effects are still being felt throughout our state and county. And while the issue is complex and emotions run high on both sides of the debate, the fact remains that something must be done!

Re: Julia Springer’s Sept. 18 commentary, "Don't let Trojan Horse measure loose in state":

Springer, chairwoman of local Planned Parenthood affiliates, states that, over the last decade, California has seen a 40 percent decline in teen pregnancy. While this gives some information about California teens, she provides no specific data about decreased numbers of teen abortions in California. It is erroneous and misleading for her to conclude a parental notification law is unnecessary in California.

A Planned Parenthood affiliate in Arizona was found civilly liable for failing to report the fact the clinic had performed an abortion on a 12-year-old girl who had been impregnated by her foster brother. The abortion provider did not report the crime, and the young girl was returned to the foster home where she was raped and impregnated a second time.

On the surface, it seems like Proposition 86 makes a lot of sense: Tax smokers to pay for healthcare programs. However, as soon as you read the initiative, you start to realize all of the unintended consequences associated with Proposition 86 that will hurt Californians.

Proposition 83 serves no purpose if passed by voters. California already has thousands of sex offenders unaccounted for who have refused to register, and they risk a six-year prison sentence if they are located. Thousands more will go into hiding if faced with having to wear an ankle bracelet for the rest of their lives.

Will this protect our children?

Sick individuals will find a way to reoffend if they choose. Global position systems will not prevent offenses. They will only make it easier for offenders to be caught if they actually wear the bracelet. GPS also does nothing to prevent first-time offenders.

Hidden in the fine print of Proposition 90 is the trap — a far-reaching section unrelated to eminent domain, costing taxpayers huge costs.

Proposition 90 would change the California Constitution to enable large landowners and corporations to demand huge payments from state and local taxpayers just by claiming a law has harmed the value of their property or business, no matter how important the law may be or farfetched the claim.

The November ballot has many propositions that can spin one way or the other. But Proposition 85 is one that has no acceptable objection if we are to be considered a decent, civilized society. A parent’s right to know if a minor child is going to have an abortion is crucial to the welfare of the child, the family and the nation.

— It is unlawful to have sex with a minor.

— To perform an abortion on a minor is to destroy evidence of a crime and to be complicit in that crime by not reporting it.

It was never a marriage made in heaven. Evangelicals lusted after the power to impose their theological vision on our government and pick government appointees. The Republicans needed the churches to get their voters to the polls.

Now, GOP whistleblower David Kuo has written a book, Tempting Faith, which details the GOP disdain for Christians. These are the same Christians that the GOP wooed and used to consolidate absolute power in their party. Kuo reports that the staff in the Bush White House called these Christians “nuts,� “ridiculous� and “goofy.�

There is a seriously disturbing situation involving three candidates in the race for Santa Paula City Council that needs close attention and clarification.

At a recent candidates forum, Bob Gonzales, Ralph Fernandez and Fred Robinson without hesitation said they supported the development of Adams Canyon. Yet, their campaign signs are all over town, along with signs for Measure L6 that read, “Control future growth.� How can they have it both ways?

What on earth are our legislators thinking about to want to raise all these taxes using propositions? Instead of raising taxes, maybe they could cut back on spending.

I do not always agree with our governor, but this time I do. We should think long and hard before we vote on propositions 86, 87, 88 and 89 and then vote no!

Proposition 88 is just a way to raise taxes on our homes and other properties. It is not only homeowners who will suffer, renters will also. If the house you are renting has the taxes raised on it, your rent will go up accordingly.

Our community is lucky to have such a well-run, exemplary public university as California State University, Channel Islands. As an alumna of the university and the first student body president of CSUCI, I know what an outstanding university Channel Islands is and its potential to continue to grow and develop. Thus, I urge your readers to vote for Proposition 1D, which will provide much-needed funds to improve classrooms and programs.

The primary fallacy in Measure P6 opponents' argument is their comparison of Ventura to other cities. The cities to which comparison is made, unlike Ventura, have refused to adopt a slow-growth model. Despite the voter-imposed Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources restrictions, those cities continue to build — as fast as they can — out to their respective city urban restriction boundary lines in the cynical belief that the lines will have to break. In the meantime, they fund their critical services with developer fees. When the new citizens request service, the answer is more building and more developer fees in what must ultimately unravel like a giant Ponzi scheme.

Election Day is coming soon, and I feel that it should be payback time for Mayor Tom Holden and Councilmen Andres Herrera and Dean Maulhardt.

They started services in the McMillan tract with no grants or low-cost loans. The cost to us taxpayers is $15,000 to each of about 300 homes in our tract. Each home has to pay cash for permits. This is $4,000 alone from the $15,000.

Where are we to get this money?

I have been involved with baseball for many years, most recently as a coach for the 2006 World Champion Thousand Oaks Big League baseball team, which earned its coveted title this summer in Easley, S.C.

John Short has been president of Thousand Oaks Little League for the last four years, and throughout this time, he has manifested a definite love and passion for this important position He wants what is best for all the children of our community. He is a tireless worker who can be found doing anything from leading a late-night board meeting to dragging an infield before a game. In this manner, John is a true leader in the community and an advocate for all youth.

John Short is running for the Conejo Valley Unified School District board, and I, for one, feel he deserves your vote.

I’ve known John through Thousand Oaks Little League for the past four years. He has continually proved himself to be an individual we can count on throughout his years of service with this thriving organization. He is tireless, dedicated and truly appreciates the kids, their parents and all the volunteers. John believes that Thousand Oaks Little League is just one of many golden opportunities to build strong character and groom good citizens for our great city.

I have been a Simi Valley resident since 1968 and have known of many dedicated individuals who contributed time and resources to making the east county a wonderful place to live and work. Judy Mikels and Jim Dantona were two of these people. However, I had never heard of Peter Foy, and with the help of the computer, I looked at his contributions to Ventura and Simi Valley.

Foy started a business at his kitchen table. The brochures do not state that the business, PCFoy.com, is on Oxnard Street in Woodland Hills. Foy’s campaign treasurer, Peter C. Foy II, is shown on the county’s Form 460 to be at that address. Foy’s only civic service shown on the company Web site is the foundation.

I have had the pleasure of serving the residents of Moorpark through the office of Supervisor Judy Mikels for the last six years. Working with people like Janice Parvin is one reason why it is a pleasure and honor to assist Supervisor Mikels represent Moorpark.

I have firsthand experience in witnessing how dedicated and hard-working Councilwoman Parvin is for the city of Moorpark. I have worked with her on many issues relating to the county and city. She is a tireless advocate on behalf of the city. There are issues in which the goals of Moorpark and the county or not in accord.

Recently, the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission approved a 6,000-square-foot house with a 1,700-square-foot double garage on top of Mount Clef Ridge. The McMansion was approved despite the fact that the city purports to protect its ridgelines and even has a ridgeline ordinance limiting houses like this one to a total of 1,700 square feet. The McMansion approval was not only on a ridgeline, but also on land designated as "undevelopable." My understanding of the word “undevelopable� is that you can't develop it.

In this case, the land is very steep, with a 40 percent grade. A 40 percent grade is good for skiing in Mammoth, not for building houses in Thousand Oaks.

Proposition 86 saves lives. Thousands of teens begin smoking each day, and three out of five will die of a tobacco-related illness. It’s like playing Russian roulette with a half-loaded revolver.

I was a teen smoker at Oxnard High School, and a pack lasted me about three weeks. Joining the Army in 1970, the low cost of tobacco resulted in my smoking escalating to three packs a day. One match was all I needed each day.

The developers of RiverPark, East Village, Seabridge and the area of Patterson Road and Fifth Street promised to build schools: three at River Park and one each at the remaining sites — six schools in total. Not a single school was paid for by a developer. They just paid relatively small fees, less than 10 percent of the cost of the schools.

Re: Mark B. Webster’s Oct. 9 letter, “Unification the only issue�:

Let’s assume Webster is correct that the upcoming Pleasant Valley School District Board of Trustees’ election is solely about unification. That would explain why PVSD has spent more than $300,000, not including countless staff hours, focusing on this cause. If Camarillo Unified, a PAC, is truly dedicated to this cause, it should stop raiding the district’s coffers for its own political purposes and work like the independent organization it proclaims to be.

I am writing to support the current Santa Paula City Council candidates for re-election. I have been so impressed with the changes that have occurred throughout Santa Paula in the last four years under their watch.

Just a few of the most visible changes that I have noticed in the downtown historic district are new businesses and attractive new storefronts. Two long-awaited city projects have come to fruition — the South Paseo and Green Street Alley.

Re: Bernardo Perez’s Oct. 15 commentary, “Prop. 86 will provide health insurance to kids�:

I am aware California needs some healthcare reform, and that Californians need to be more health conscious. However, neither should be accomplished by raising taxes. Taxpayers already support healthcare and public welfare programs. If these programs aren’t enough, I say it is time to investigate why and make appropriate changes.

Of the 13 propositions facing voters in November, one will strengthen family relationships and protect a parent’s right to raise their children, free from government involvement.

Proposition 85 is that initative.

This November, residents in the Conejo Valley will be voting for three members for the Conejo Valley Unified School District Board of Education. As residents of this community, it is important that we vote for school board members whose goals are to maintain the high standards already set and continue to strive for improvement in our public schools.

During the past eight years, while Pat Phelps has served on the Conejo board, our high schools have achieved one of the highest graduation rates in California. Ten of our schools have been named National Blue Ribbon schools; this includes all three comprehensive high schools.

Dean Kunicki deserves a full term on the Ventura County Board of Education, and I urge Simi Valley and Moorpark voters to lend him their support Nov. 7.

Since Kunicki was appointed to the 4th Area seat on the county school board, the education system that it governs has made great strides toward being a fantastic value for every school district in the county. Kunicki stepped up to complete the term of a vacated position, and he showed leadership to prove he deserves a full four-year term.

Sick and tired of the screaming, back-stabbing politics that are paralyzing the nation and have come creeping into our own wonderful community? There's a solution. Don't vote for a candidate because he or she's from the same party. Vote for the best candidate, even when that candidate is from the other party. If we do, and if we encourage others to do the same, we'll elect only the best candidates and force the worst ones our of business.

When did “slow growth� become a meaningless term?

In the race for the Thousand Oaks City Council, it seems that every candidate claims to support slow growth. If nothing else, it’s good news that all the politicians realize that this is what the voters want. They all want to get on the bandwagon.

But there are only two candidates who can be relied on to be slow-growth candidates. They are Claudia Bill-de la Peña and Janet Wall. Both have adopted the mantle of protecting open space and the environment left by Linda Parks when she moved on to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.

I am writing this letter in support of my friend, Bob Wilson.

Bob has always been a caring and compassionate leader. He has raised money and awareness for many local charities and organizations. Bob has always worked hard to make our area a more prosperous and enjoyable place to live.

He has demonstrated great loyalty to our community and to those of us fortunate enough to call him friend.

I have lived in Thousand Oaks for more than 12 years. Part of the reason I live here is because of the quality of life. What contributes to this is the City Council’s commitment to preserving open spaces for beauty’s sake and for the recreational uses that I enjoy like hiking and biking.

It is important to re-elect and elect officials like Mayor Dennis Gillette and John DiGuiseppe to maintain and preserve this dream and to reject others — specifically Claudia Bill-de la Peña, Janet Wall and Louis Masry — who intimate that this will not continue unless they are elected.

I was amused by the full-page endorsement by the Humane Society of U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly in The Star on Monday. What the human beings of our district deserve in Washington is a representative who really wants to represent them.

This is why I am supporting Democrat Jill Martinez for Congress.

— Randall Richman, Ventura

Re: Jay Aronow’s Oct. 13 letter, “Gallegly is predictable�:

I totally agree with Aronow and would like to add some information that concerns Gallegly's "nonresponse" to requests for assistance.

The Star does a great service to its readers by publishing Roll Call, a disclosure of how our lawmakers voted. I started saving them more than a year ago, and this is what I discovered about Elton Gallegly’s voting record.

In May 2005, he voted against increasing medical care for troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, including $9 million for prosthetics. Cynically, his newsletter shouts, “Remember Our Troops.�

The previous month, he voted to repeal estate taxes for the richest Americans at a cost of $745 billion over 10 years.

The national Humane Society’s Legislative Fund, out of Washington, D.C., ran a full-page ad Monday in The Star endorsing Elton Gallegly for the 24th Congressional District.

This ad cost $13,706.25 and was paid for from charitable contributions.

I called Gallegly’s office and suggested he write a check to the Ventura County Humane Society for $13,706.25, since it is a political ad for his re-election, and I don’t think I want my donated dollars used for ads for candidates who don’t need either the money or support to win re-election.

A comparison of campaign mailers from two candidates for the 37th Assembly District was indeed illuminating.

First, I received the mailer from Audra Strickland. Her mailer was an attack on her opponent, vague and misleading. There was no mention of her record nor her ideas for the future. I wonder why?

Ferial Masry’s mailer, on the other hand, was positive and filled with her thoughtful ideas on our district’s needs and her plans to improve our representation in Sacramento.

Re: Robert Jay’s Oct. 16 letter, “What about judges?�

I thoroughly agree with Mr. Jay’s letter regarding the need for information on Supreme Court and appellate judges listed on the Nov. 7 ballot.

I am writing to object to the proposed Town Center at Westlake.

I know that Rotkin Development and Lowe’s representatives were at the town hall meetings last year listening to the impassioned pleas of teenagers saying, “We don’t need another parking lot to hang out in, we need a place to gather.� It was reiterated by many.

Dean Kunicki over the years has been very involved in supporting the activities of his community. As a member of the Ventura County Board of Education, Dean would provide outstanding leadership in the effort to bring quality education to the children of the district.

The office of education has made great strides in recent years to increase services and maintain a balanced budget. Dean has contributed greatly to those efforts.

Without reservation, I can say that Dean Kunicki would be the best person for the position available on the county school board to represent the 4th Area.

— Alfred Goldberg, Simi Valley

Re: your Oct. 17 editorial, “Best choice for Westlake voters; Measure Z should be approved�:

The reality is: If Measure Z passes, Westlake Village will not get a “town center.� It will be a Lowe’s that will be two football fields long, an island of asphalt, 67,000 more cars per week and no guarantee whatsoever that “upscale shops and restaurants� will be tenants because 90 percent of that space will be Lowe’s.

I just received the latest Louis Masry mailer with a big picture of the late Ed Masry taking up the entire cover, suitable for framing. Can it be that Louis, who recently moved from Moorpark to a rented house just to run for office here, has so little to offer us that the best he can do is run on Ed’s image, and with Ed’s money? It would appear this is an attempt to skate into office on the name and reputation of someone else.

The Ventura County Living Wage Coalition and Venturans for a Living Wage have worked hard over a period of years to bring about living-wage ordinances in Ventura County, including the city of Ventura.

Our efforts are based on a belief that hard-working people deserve safety and security in return for their labor. Safety and security mean the ability to keep a roof over one’s head, the ability to feed and clothe one’s family, the ability to obtain medical care and the ability to educate one’s children. These are basic human needs.

In the city of Ventura, violent crimes have increased by 15 percent since 2005. While crime has been on the rise, a number of other programs to decrease gang activity, drug use and overall crimes have fallen by the wayside, including the Student Resource Officer Program. While we have sat around and argued over whether or not we want yet another big-box development and whether or not Victoria should be an "Avenue" or a "Boulevard," Ventura has seen more overall crime than its neighboring cities, including Oxnard. When is Ventura going to wake up?

The bottom line is that if we cannot feel safe and secure at home, we cannot feel safe and secure anywhere.

Regarding the upcoming vote on Measure P6, the citizens of Ventura have been promised that the funds will only be used for public safety, police and fire protection. In order to placate the skeptics who believe this is not true, there is to be an "oversight committee" to ensure that the funds raised by this tax increase are indeed spent only for the promised purpose.

The voting public should be aware, however, that the people to be appointed to this committee have to be approved by the police and fire chiefs, the very people who are to benefit from this measure passing.

There have been many comments made regarding pros and cons of Measure P6. Some say city priorities should be examined to determine where the funds for the Police and Fire departments are sought.

Having more police officers and firefighters is good. The problem I have with Measure P6 is the way it is worded. The sample ballot analysis notes there are safeguards built in that ensure proper spending of the funds collected by an extra tax. That would be the citizens' oversight committee to be appointed from a group based on recommendations of the fire and police chiefs. What happened to checks and balances? Sounds like the fox is being put in charge of guarding the henhouse.

Because I am strongly opposed to the Measure P6 sales tax increase, I signed my name and reasons for opposition to appear on the ballot.

First hard lesson: Immediately, I was sued by those who are favorable to the tax because they said I was deceiving the voters with my opinions. Ultimately, Judge David Long disagreed and found that the "No" arguments were appropriate.

Re: Carroll Dean Williams’ Oct. 15 letter, “Not the right plan�:

In response to Williams’ rant about police officers and salaries, I would like to make one comment.

Williams seems disturbed that our city compensates a police officer $595 for a 12-hour shift. I am a local commercial flooring contractor. I pay an experienced, journeyman sheet vinyl mechanic $45 per hour. For a 12-hour shift, I would pay my floor mechanics $540, irrespective of any state-mandated overtime arrangements or night and weekend labor premiums.

Let’s do the math. Steve Blum, a candidate to represent Area 1 on the Ventura County Community College District board, has 28 years of teaching experience at local high schools. He coached cross-country and track for 22 years at Buena High School and has served for many years as president of the Ventura teachers association. He was so well thought of after his coaching days were over that his former students, inspired by Steve to become teachers and coaches themselves, named an annual award in his honor.

As an Optimist and a Rotarian, as chairman of the Pleasant Valley Education Foundation and member of many other serving organizations, Bob Taylor is an amazing volunteer. He cares for the needs of the whole community. His ideas and energies are fresh. You would do well to elect him to Camarillo City Council.

— Norma Maidel, Camarillo

The Humane Society’s endorsement and approval of Rep. Elton Gallegly’s voting record for animals is well-deserved. I have followed Gallegly’s voting record for the last 10 years and he has consistently voted for the health, safety and welfare of animals.

However, as a member of the Humane Society, I am appalled to see money spent on full-page political ads rather than on the animals for which I paid my membership money.

Re: your Oct. 13 article, “Oxnard economy is praised�:

The article was a discussion regarding the financial outlook for the coming year as presented by Bill Watkins from UC Santa Barbara. Watkins has been doing these outlooks for quite some time now, and I have yet to see him ever be very far from correct.

According to Watkins, the economy of this community is so strong that he believes Oxnard will not even know a recession is occurring.

Unification is an important issue for the Pleasant Valley School District board election Nov. 7. Years and years have gone by, numerous studies have been done, redone and shelved, and the question has yet to be put to the voters of the district.

Ron Speakman, Jennifer Miller and Patty Lerner care about the voters, care that the voters’ voice should be heard and care about the Camarillo students of the future. Incumbent board members Speakman and Miller have worked diligently and with integrity to raise the questions, get the answers, and to move forward — trusting the voters to decide.

On Halloween night, I expect Howard Jarvis to pop up and warn us of the November tax goblins!

The mad scientist and bureaucratic spender are at it again with Propositions 86, 87, 88 and 89. They all want your money!

Proposition 88 taxes every property owner and eventually every renter $50 more a year. Proposition 89 taxes corporations that will pass it on to all consumers. Proposition 87 will increase our gasoline taxes. Proposition 86 is another $2.60 tax on a tiny pack of cigarettes.

Re: Bernardo Perez’s Oct. 15 commentary, "Prop. 86 will provide health insurance to kids":

Currently, healthcare costs are out of control. You get a wart removed and they charge you $200 for a five-minute process of freezing the thing off. That they call surgery. This is ludicrous. How could a procedure so quick and simple possibly require even close to $200?

My father, who is 89 years old, started smoking at age 17. His doctor says, “Don’t quit at your age.� Whew! I love my dad.

A boyfriend of many years, at age 47, will not quit smoking.

Please, let us pass Proposition 86. Cigarettes will be almost $7 a pack, more than $40 per carton. I’ve figured the cost of both beer and cigarettes to be more than $6,700 a year.