Picus Actions Ludicrous

About five years ago, I met Jack Spound and Gene Spindler, developers of Warner Ridge, because I live across the street from the development and they wanted our support.

Our homeowners association, Warner Hill Townhome Assn., suggested several changes in its initial plan. The developers returned two weeks later with a totally different design, incorporating all our concerns. They literally went back to the drawing board.

It seems as though the valid concerns we voiced and the developer addressed were exercises in futility. By accounts in the press and information provided by Councilwoman Joy Picus through her depositions, this project was doomed from its inception.

It is hard to understand how an elected official, sworn to uphold the law, can turn around and break it when it is convenient to do so and then claim that she was just doing what she was elected to do. That is ludicrous.

Joy Picus has abused her power to the extent that the taxpayers may end up having to pay tens of millions of dollars in settlement costs to a developer who was willing to work within the system and be a good neighbor.

It makes no sense that we should be stuck with those costs when her actions were on behalf of a small, vocal group such as the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization. The behind-the-scenes activities between the organization and Picus smack of secret agendas and favoritism for a select few when, in fact, the councilwoman was elected to represent all of her constituents.

Three Planning Commission hearings on this project were held as open forums, with all speakers afforded the opportunity to express their views. After each meeting, the conclusion reached by the hearing officer was to proceed with the project as proposed or with some modifications.

This case adds to the momentum for term limits. After 16 years as a councilwoman, some of Picus’ constituents have representation, most do not.

WILLIAM H. McCARY

Woodland Hills