Then, at their last meeting to install a new mayor, they proceeded to imply that Mayor Pro Tem Jim Bruno would not unite the citizens of Westlake Village, but would, instead, cause dissension. They were well aware that their action to bypass Bruno would create greater division among its citizens. They still chose to go ahead and break a 25-year tradition. They did not vote for Bruno as mayor, nor did they re-elect him as mayor pro tem.

It appeared to the majority of citizens who voted against Lowe's to be a vindictive and petty act. I am truly ashamed of our City Council.

Teobaldi's letter is an example of the deepening rift the council has created. Bruno had every right to ask the question of Kris Carraway-Bowman's involvement with Lowe's. She was the originator of the petition to get Measure Z on the ballot, and it would seem highly unlikely that Carraway-Bowman would not seek approval from Lowe's before putting its name on the initiative. She also actively campaigned in favor of Lowe's.

— Ray Kirschbaum, Westlake Village