Dos Vientos Amigos Characterization

As co-presidents of Dos Vientos Amigos, an organization of more than 600 people who live and / or work in Thousand Oaks and who support the completion of Dos Vientos Ranch, we are writing in response to Jason Takenouchi’s article, which appeared in the July 6 edition.

We would like to set the record straight:

First of all, Dos Vientos Amigos has never been secretive about its ties to the developer of Dos Vientos Ranch. In fact, our members meet with the developer, Arlen Miller, on a regular basis. In turn, our members have served as a liaison between the community and the developer. In doing so, we have helped maintain open communications for interested parties to remain informed about the issues concerning Dos Vientos Ranch.

Developers are frequently criticized for not communicating with the public. Here the developer works with the community by regularly speaking to civic groups, meeting with residents and soliciting input, and he’s criticized for that.

Dos Vientos Amigos is [composed] of volunteers who freely donate their time and energy to show their support for and encourage dialogue about the project. Mr. Takenouchi ignores the fact that our group is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit California corporation and has expanded its mission to direct funds to local charitable programs that benefit the residents of our community.

We are proud to have a membership of more than 600 citizens--all of whom have individually and personally signed statements in support of the completion of the project. We do not, and will not, include in our membership those who do not wish to support or be included in this organization.

All of the members of DVA joined this organization because we earnestly believe in the positive benefits that will result from Dos Vientos Ranch. Unfortunately, those who support anti-growth measures believe that anyone who holds a different opinion from theirs is suspect. No one questions the integrity of those who are organized to oppose the project. Why shouldn’t we be afforded the same respect?

Dos Vientos Amigos has grown tremendously over the past two years because there is tremendous support within the community for the completion of the project. DVA recently expanded its mission and reorganized as a California nonprofit corporation. To those who question our integrity and whether we are serving a broader interest, we need only point to the thousands of dollars our group is providing to locally based charitable programs. Ask the recipients of these groups whether or not these contributions are needed, used wisely and appreciated. Better yet, quote them in an upcoming article.

It’s obvious that Mr. Takenouchi is on a witch hunt. He implies that support for Dos Vientos Ranch is an illusion. Why is it then that our members regularly attend public hearings in support of Dos Vientos Ranch? At the last hearing, more than 100 members of DVA came out to support the completion of Dos Vientos Ranch.

That’s not an illusion. That’s reality.

SANDY HUMPHREY

and CHUCK SEEGER

Co-Presidents,

Dos Vientos Amigos