In defense of Measure H

Wednesday night I attended a contentious meeting of the Agoura Hills City Council. The council felt compelled to defend themselves over a L.A. Times article that appeared on Mon., Feb. 11.

The article titled "Big Box Could Cost Agoura Hills Big Bucks" came down hard on the questionable business practices of Selleck Development and our city’s involvement with them.

For the record, my husband and I own the California Do-It Center, and yes, we have been among the primary contributors of Citizens for Responsible Growth, who are sponsoring the yes on business, which happens to be in the city we have called home since 1973.

We are grateful to the hundreds of supporters who gathered signatures and are working hard to stop Home Depot or any other big-box development in our city.

Yes indeed, our committee has a paid political consultant; we are a grassroots organization unfamiliar with organizing and running a campaign.

I witnessed Wednesday night a shameful display from our city council. Admittedly I ’m not a supporter of theirs and never have been.

Councilman Jeff Reinhardt wholeheartedly supports Reyes Adobe and Kanan roads even if it means taking another’s business and livelihood. In other words, condemning Agoura Equipment Rentals. I suppose there would be compensation for Mel Adams (owner) and his family, or would there? Can a government agency set a fair price for years of hard work and devotion to a community?

I ask Councilman Reinhardt, did you take pleasure in embarrassing Mel Adams by publicly calling his business "a junk yard"?

I realize the equipment rental business is not a prestigious type of retail operation by Mr. Reinhardt’s standards. However, it has certainly been counted in the retail sales tax base for our city.

Mel Adams has given his time, lent his equipment and financially supported our town for almost 40 years. He is a World War II veteran and he didn’t deserve hearing insults and insensitive remarks from a city councilman. Mr. Reinhardt, you need to publicly apologize to Mel Adams.

Agoura Equipment Rentals may end up being condemned or moved somewhere else, but if it’s replaced by a Home Depot super center, some of the character that made Agoura what it is will be lost. We were never a planned community; many of us moved here because Agoura was unique with an eclectic charm. I don’t think the property values have been affected because a few sections along the freeway aren’t perfect. I believe the rural feel and hometown atmosphere are lost when old timers like Mel Adams are gone.

Naturally I wouldn’t want a Home Depot or any big box, and I urge everyone to vote yes on Measure H.

Angela Ruf

Agoura Hills