Support for Election

Was Rosa Parks being divisive when she refused to move to the rear of the bus?

Was Martin Luther King Jr. being divisive when he marched for civil rights?

Were the suffragettes divisive when they marched to gain women’s right to vote?

Were the colonials divisive when they dumped tea into Boston harbor?

Was Lincoln divisive when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation?

Our nation’s history is steeped in divisiveness.

At the Jan. 3 hearing on filling former Thousand Oaks Councilman Frank Schillo’s seat, Councilwoman Elois Zeanah was charged with being divisive for failing to appoint Mike Markey to fill the vacant council seat. According to the city attorney, the council can appoint a seat to fill a vacancy or, if the council is evenly divided, an election is in order. Councilwoman Zeanah and Mayor Jaime Zukowski opted for an election representing the constituents who elected them to office.

Before the hearing, a number of unanimous votes were taken on several matters that were brought before the council. Obviously there is unanimity in the council when there’s an agreement on issues. The unanimity is lacking when there’s a difference on issues. This is how our form of government works and has worked for over 200 years.

The June 6 election will give the electorate of Thousand Oaks an opportunity to focus more closely on the issues currently dividing the community, free from any gubernatorial contest, congressional and state contests and a battery of initiatives. Hopefully, a consensus can be reached in the election of a new council person to fill the prevailing vacancy.

SAMUEL M. ROSEN

Newbury Park