Good Riddance to Hope Plan

This is a note to Bob Hope: The “plan” is dead.

You and those other so-called conservationists and Washington politicians in favor of the Cheeseboro park land exchange must have gotten the message by now. The people of eastern Ventura County don’t want the proposed massive Jordan and Ahmanson ranch developments.

This is our back yard, and we, more than anyone, should and must have the last say about developments that would have a major impact on our environment and quality of life.

Madge L. Schaefer, the current 2nd District supervisor for Ventura County, didn’t get the message, and she won’t be around next year to vote on the proposed upzoning of Jordan and Ahmanson ranches. Maria VanderKolk will be the next supervisor because of 11,814 concerned citizens who voted for her and said “No!” to more development of our open spaces.

Ms. VanderKolk has vowed to preserve our open spaces. She and two other supervisors who previously voted against the proposed developments can and should vote to stop these developments. Ms. VanderKolk brings a new era of environmental concern to Ventura County. No longer can politicians or developers ignore the people when it comes to the environment.

Instead of talking about how the Jordan Ranch plan is in jeopardy and arguing about the Cheeseboro land exchange, all conservationists should work together with the government to figure out the best way to obtain additional parkland without promoting new developments, this should be possible with existing funds from the conservation initiative passed on June 5 and other funds allocated by Congress. The value of Jordan and Ahmanson ranches will be much reduced if they cannot be developed as their owners would like. This would provide the park service as opportunity to acquire these areas and manage them together with an intact Cheeseboro Park as a wonderful natural and open space resource for future generations.

It’s clear that the majority of the people are concerned about the environment and would like more open spaces preserved. This will not come easy, but the reward will certainly be worth the effort.

FRANK D. LITTMAN

Agoura Hills