OPINION
vcreporter.com
Purple is the New Party
that low-income residents can build equity. The ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Star reported, “Councilman Kevin McNamee Warren Barrett dissented on grounds that he favors rentals with EDITOR Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer a stipulation that renters can only live there for a STAFF WRITER er since November 2008 (happy 13th anniversary limited time.” Because that’s how housing goes? by Paul Moomjean Kimberly Rivers He went on to add that this will encourage to me!). When I read in the VC Star that the city paulmoomjean@yahoo.com CONTRIBUTORS council “is buying the former site of the Hillcrest “occupants to economically move up and purMichael Cervin, David Michael Courtland, Ivor Davis, Emily Dodi, entura County has always been a tale of Christian School for $10 million to convert into chase a market-rate home [. . .] My concern Alicia Doyle, Marina Dunbar, Chuck Graham, Chris Jay, Daphne Khalida Kilea, Karen Lindell, Paul Moomjean, Mike Nelson, Tim two cities. For all the wealth and prestige affordable housing,” I was thrilled. with low-income housing ownership is that this Pompey, Kathy Jean Schultz, Alan Sculley, Kit Stolz, Mark Storer of Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Too often communities lose their best and model offers no incentive to move out of low-inGRAPHIC DESIGNERS and surrounding areas, there have been pockets brightest middle-class residents after college come housing.” Bret Hooper, Paul Braun, Elaine Cota of poverty that have plagued other parts of the because they cannot afford to live in the place Thousand Oaks also plans to make an agreeADVERTISING SALES county. For years Simi Valley was viewed as a that raised them. According to Realtor.com, “In ment with Ventura County and a commercial real Barbara Kroon CLASSIFIEDS trailer park community, a reputation that is ste- August 2021, the median listing home price in estate firm in hopes of gaining state funding to Ann Turrietta reotyped in TV and movies. Oxnard has lowered Ventura County, CA was $799K, trending up run the local Quality Inn and Suites as the city’s crime rates as the community continues to grow 12.5% year-over-year. The median listing home first homeless shelter. With a 4-1 vote to authoAdvertising information, call 805.648.2244 larger-than-life shopping centers and castles for price per square foot was $449. The median home rize the progressive idea, Councilman McNamee Classified Ads | Display Ads high schools and district buildings, but much sold price was $780K.” dissented again, saying “any program to address EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING OFFICE of the problems facing those communities is Yet, “In August 2021, the median listing home homelessness must include a pathway to inde805.648.2244 because neighboring communities like Thousand price in Thousand Oaks, CA was $975K, trending pendence, not pauperism and dependency.” warren@vcreporter.com (Advertising) Oaks have made housing and maintaining a live- up 9.6% year-over-year. The median listing home While the city looks to move into the future, nancy@vcreporter.com (Editorial) lihood nearly impossible. price per square foot was $470. The median home McNamee appears to be the villain here, fearing aturrietta@timespublications.com (Classifieds) The city of Thousand Oaks, however, has sold price was $950K.” homeless and low-income house owners in his The Ventura County Reporter is distributed every Thursday in Ventura, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Camarillo, Ojai, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills. The made strides in passing two ordinances to provide That is almost $200,000 more than the rest of city. I’ve spent a lot of time around “men” like Reporter is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. The Reporter may both homeless shelter resources and affordable the county. How are young adults supposed to buy McNamee, who blame everyone who didn’t be distributed only by Reporter authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of the Reporter, take more than one copy of each Reporter issue. housing. For the ultra-conservative community a house when the market is at almost $1 million? make it like they did. I’m sure he’s a hard workThe Reporter is copyright ©2020 by Times Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part (remember the town folk protesting Hooters, The VC Star reported, “The City Council voted er, but he also has posted articles on Facebook of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without permission in writing by the publisher. An adjudicated Newspaper of General anyone?), these are the necessary steps for a com- 5-0 at its Aug. 31 meeting to approve the purchase against the minimum wage and has suggestCirculation (SP50329). Submissions of all kinds are welcomed. However, the publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. A stamped, self-addressed envelope munity to serve those left behind. ed that newly released criminals shouldn’t be from the private school.” must accompany all submissions expected to be returned. I worked in Thousand Oaks on and off over the “It would provide a great opportunity for allowed to live in his community after paying AD PROOF past 20 years as a teacher at Hillcrest Christian the city to collaborate with a potential afford- their debt to society. School and asCosmopolitan a book seller and children’s book able housing developer of the site to provide For our society to move forward and provide Client: Elements Ad Executive: Warren Barrett (805) 648-2244 organizer at the Borders Bookstore (RIP, old much-needed affordable units in the city,” Haider pathways to succeed, our county has to continue Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and “Final Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL friend). have this community these types caring butthe getbottom rid of these city’scheck economic development RUN IAS IS.strong If thisroots proofinmeets your approvalAlawami, on the 1sttheproof, off “FINAL PROOFman(APPROVED)” box,ofdate andideas sign at through coaching county all-star wrestling teams, ager, told the council. The council also voted Scrooges like Kevin McNamee, men who seem ISSUE: 10/7/21 NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP PRESIDENT Steve Strickbine helping run the Newbury Park wrestling tourna- 4-1 to require that the units, such as townhomes annoyed that others in their youth aren’t where VICE PRESIDENT Michael Hiatt ment, and writing for the Ventura County Report- or condominiums, be for sale, not for rent, so he is in his old age.
Thousand Oaks making all the right moves
V
Personal assistant services What we can do for you: Event & Party Planning Expert Organizing Personal Assisting Social Media Marketing
Lisa Arendarski
(562) 373-2560
lisa@xoxomissmachine.com 4—
Contact us today to set up a free consultation! www.xoxomissmachine.com
Eva Heimann
(818) 568-6629
e.cosmoelements@gmail.com
— October 7, 2021
DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON
THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE. 1007_VCReporter_PURPLE NEW PARTY.indd 4
Date: _______________________________ Signature: ___________________________ 10/5/21 1:47 PM
