THOUSAND OAKS : City Council Weighs Bid to ‘Buy Local’

They can’t require it and they can’t enforce it, but Thousand Oaks council members would like to encourage residents to shop in local stores.

So tonight, just in time for the Christmas rush, they will consider a “Buy Local” resolution. The formal policy statement officially urges residents--and anyone else passing through town--to keep sales tax dollars in Thousand Oaks by patronizing local stores.

“I feel guilty when I don’t buy local,” Councilwoman Judy Lazar said, voicing support for the resolution.

While Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce President Steve Rubenstein also backs the measure, he warned council members that simply raising a “Buy Local” cheer will not suffice.

“What’s important is for our city fathers to see the big picture, to know that we have to have the right businesses here or else people will still drive away to get what they need,” Rubenstein said.

Discount stores such as Target, Mervyn’s and the Price/Costco have attracted more and more shoppers, he noted, and Thousand Oaks officials “can’t be elitist and believe we can get by without them.”