Thousand Oaks Measure B (June 2008)
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Thousand Oaks Measure B appeared on the June 3, 2008 ballot in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, California, where it was defeated. Measure B was also known as the "Right to Vote on Traffic Congestion Initiative". It was placed on the ballot through a paid petition drive that collected about 15,000 signatures.
- Yes votes: 11,753, 43.73%
- No votes: 15,124, 56.27%[1]
Had Measure B passed, it would have amended city ordinances to require that any development projects that would have an impact on traffic must automatically be submitted to a public vote. Development projects that would be submitted to the citywide ballot, under Measure B, include any that would involve a traffic increase--whether that is just during the construction period or after the project is completed. If a development project includes plans for street improvements to ameliorate or solve traffic problems, those plans cannot be factored into whether or not the project must be submitted to a popular vote.
The campaign attracted significant interest and significant money. As of mid-May, about $1.3 million had been spent; with about $750,000 on the "yes" side and about $550,000 on the "no" side. By far the largest donor to the "yes" side was a corporation, the "Do It" Center. The "Do It" Center is a large hardware and home improvement store; its motivation for funding a campaign to put Measure B on the ballot is the prospect of competition from Home Depot. Home Depot had announced a plan to build a store at a former K-Mart site on Hampshire Road; in response to this potential competition, the Do It Center launched the Measure B campaign.[2]
Jeff Ruf, the owner of the Do It Center has funded similar initiative campaigns in Agoura Hills and Westlake Village to make it harder for rival home improvement stores to compete.[3] His involvement is what led The Thousand Oaks Acorn, in its editorial opposing Measure B, to write, "Measure B is a slick marketing strategy to stifle competition by a multimillion dollar company that's fighting an even bigger corporation."[4]
Donors opposing Measure B include Home Depot, the Janss Marketplace and Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center.[5]
Supporters of B
In addition to the Do It Center, Measure B is supported by the Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, County Supervisor Linda Parks, and Thousand Oaks City Councilmember Claudia Bill-de la Peña.[6]
Opposition from teachers union, others
The 40-person council of the Unified Association of Conejo Teachers voted in late March to oppose Measure B. Their fear is that the Conejo Valley Unified School District could lose new annual revenues from property taxes. This would happen if the initiative passes and voters reject proposed projects. The union's belief about how much potential revenue might be lost if the measure passes is based on a financial impact analysis conducted by a consultant hired by the city. Measure B supporters say that analysis is flawed.
Arleigh Kidd, executive director of the union, said, "When you halt development, you halt money that goes to schools. If that money is gone, the need is still there. It needs to come from somewhere. We don't want it coming from the classroom and more programs to be cut."[7]
Other opponents of B
Two other groups who have announced their opposition to Measure B are the Area Housing Authority and Ventura County Economic Development Association.[8]
Westlake Revelations, a newspaper covering the Westlake and Thousand Oaks area, has editorialized against Measure B. One of their primary concerns is the impact Measure B will have on the emergency room of the local hospital.[9]
The boards of the Thousand Oaks Little League and the Conejo Valley Little League teams announced their opposition to Measure B in May. In their statement of opposition, they cited a study that suggests that the Conejo Recreation and Park District will bear additional annual costs in property taxes of $330,000 if Measure B passes.[10]
The City of Thousand Oaks has spent $100,000 on various matters related to the measure. The city council, which includes several members who are opposed to the initiative, approved $25,000 for legal services related to the citizen initiative. The city has also spent $70,000 on an impact analysis, $10,000 on traffic analysis and $8,600 on outside legal fees.[11]
External links
- Text of initiative
- Keep Thousand Oaks moving, website of Measure B supporters.
- Don't Do It, Thousand Oaks, website of Measure B opponents.
- Residents, businesses win with Measure B. Statement by Al Adam, a planning commissioner and supporter of B.
- Measure B spurs 11th-hour fights, new challenges
- Democracy, Inc.
- City of Thousand Oaks
- Initiatives serve Thousands Oaks well
- Opponents blast traffic ballot initiative
- Home Depot project goes to planning commission
References
- ↑ Ventura County June 3 election results
- ↑ Thousand Oaks Acorn, Home Depot is funding the drive against Measure B, May 1, 2008
- ↑ Ventura County Star, Possible effects of Measure B debated, May 24, 2008
- ↑ Thousand Oaks Acorn, Vote no on Measure B, May 22, 2008
- ↑ Ventura County Star, Campaign finance reports for June 3 election released, May 24, 2008
- ↑ The Acorn, Chamber supports right to vote on traffic initiative, May 8, 2008
- ↑ Ventura County Star, Labor council says no to job-killer initiative
- ↑ Ventura County Star, Teachers union opposes T.O. land initiative April 1, 2008
- ↑ Westlake Revelations, Measure B: "Traffic" initiative, Los Robles ER Closure, April 26, 2008
- ↑ Ventura County Star, Measure B: Calling a foul on traffic initiative, May 4, 2008
- ↑ Thousand Valley Acorn, "City of T.O. has already spent $100,000 on Measure B studies"
