Moorpark Vote on SOAR

* Re “Moorpark Votes on SOAR Issue, Housing Plan,” Jan. 12.

Jan. 12, 1999, will enter Ventura County’s history and live as a watershed for administration of land development and use. The overwhelming support for countywide measures to save agricultural and open spaces was concluded decisively in a belated election of Moorpark voters.

These dramatic steps to limit the burgeoning and random growth are now being studied by a number of neighboring counties. In time it will be the way of life throughout our great state of California. It could also progress as a people’s land-use algorithm by being adopted by the rest of the country.

No greater laws exist than the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Only in the U.S. can people, when they make their minds up, join together in voting out bad practices of elected officials and substitute wiser ways of life.

More than two decades ago the people voted in Proposition 13, limiting property taxation. On Jan. 12 the citizens of Moorpark joined the rest of our votes, assuring the preservation of agriculture and open lands for the benefit of future generations of Ventura County.

THAD PERRY cq

Somis

*

* Well, the people of Moorpark have spoken. The people do not want Hidden Creek [Ranch] development. They support SOAR 2-to-1 with their votes.

Let’s see how much your vote really counts. Messenger development reps are already saying they are going forward with plans for the defeated development. They will file a lawsuit and some judge will overturn the will of the people. Messenger will eventually get its development no matter what the people want.

I no longer see any sense in casting my vote when special-interest groups that don’t like the results of our voting can so easily silence our voices and render our votes essentially useless.

Of course, I’ll keep voting because I am a concerned and involved citizen. I will have to swallow the injustices of our “system.” Is this a “government of the people, by the people, for the people”?

THE BOYD FAMILY

Simi Valley