I am voting no on Measure B for many reasons, but for brevity's sake, I'll give you three.
First, according to an independent analysis, Measure B will lead to a direct reduction in police and fire services. That is why the sheriff and local firefighters are against it.
Second, the independent analysis also found Measure B will reduce funding for our schools and lead to more school closures. Our schools face dramatic state cutbacks. That is why the teacher's association and the PTA oppose it.
Third, and perhaps most important, if Measure B passes, it will risk the world-class, full-service medical treatment Thousand Oaks residents receive at Los Robles Hospital. The hospital CEO and the doctors committee have said repeatedly that the hospital would have to close the maternity department, the neonatal intensive care unit, the pediatrics department, the oncology unit, the definitive observation unit and the surgery department if Measure B passes. If that happens the nearest healthcare facilities to receive similar treatment would be at least 25 minutes away in Simi Valley, Oxnard or Camarillo.
I could go on and keep listing the reasons, but do I really have to? Measure B is bad for police and firefighters. Measure B is bad for schools. Measure B is bad for the hospital.
Please join me and vote no on Measure B.
-- Mary Claire Slais, Thousand Oaks