New construction should be the mantra for our City Council. Experience teaches me that it’s a waste of time and money to oppose anything.

Planning for this city is a memory. The huge hospital parking structure that’s coming is just another nail in the coffin.

I’ve lived, worked and paid taxes for 25 years to this city. I stood in front of the council to have my facility approved. I learned the process.

I had to make thousands of dollars in improvements to build my veterinary practice. Then the city started the Blue Rock project across the street, and residents listened to six or eight pile drivers a day, every weekday.

I heard a hospital expansion proponent say it was just a problem with the NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard). The city has now set a precedent, and they can build in your neighborhood, too.

I understand growth. It happens, but I’m appalled by the blatant disregard for input by citizens last Tuesday night. The council spoke as if the project had already been approved, prior to citizen comments. Billde la Peña recused herself because her husband works at the hospital. HCA’s influence on T.O. (was incredible).

I could tell (several of my clients) were uncomfortable about talking to me. That, combined with degradation of my neighborhood (proved) the disregard the hospital has for its neighbors. It made me lose it. I compared the environmental impact report to bull excrement and was told I was out of order.

In reality, the City Council was out of order.

T.O. lacks checks and balances. If the council produces EIRs that are fictional–sorry, moving a tree doesn’t equate to adding a tree–or listen to concerned residents, they should just do what they want and save tax money.

Perhaps then the council can fulfill its promises and pay residents on the south end of Lynn Road for the soundproof windows they’ve installed and also quit displacing low-income residents just to build new low-income housing.

And by the way, you can’t fix The Lakes, so quit trying.
Karen Martin
Thousand Oaks