Council Rejection of Home Depot

* Re “Home Depot Plan Vetoed by Ventura City Council,” July 22.

Now that residents have succeeded in having a say on what will not be one of the components for any project at Telephone Road and the Ventura Freeway, it is important that they succeed in saying what will be.

I agree that this was not the proper location for a Home Depot. At the same time, it would be a mistake for the only requirement for any potential components to be “not Home Depot.”

It may well be that there exists a need for a balance between the city’s financial needs, the developer’s return on investment and components that Venturans want to see. This does not mean Ventura should not set the bar a little higher for what projects will be welcomed to the community.

Since I moved to Ventura, I have heard Venturans say no loudly and clearly on more than one occasion. I would hope that our collective yes on projects that would benefit our community would be just as loud and just as clear.

I strongly encourage those who were involved in sending a clear message to City Hall on this issue to stay involved. It is such involvement that will ensure that the ideas, views and dreams captured in the Vision document are realized.

JOHN S. JONES

Ventura

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As a resident of Ventura since 1970, I want to congratulate the members of our City Council. The council provided an open forum regarding the Home Depot issue for the people of Ventura to vent their feelings.

They listened to the many pros and cons of the issue. They listened with open minds, without any preconceived solutions. They listened and didn’t yield to the finances of the issue. They listened and responded to the people of Ventura.

That is what makes Ventura the unique city that it is. The citizens of Ventura do have a say in what happens here in our beloved city. Let’s always continue this legacy.

JOAN HIGGINS

Ventura