Cut the fat and frills; yes on

Cut the fat and frills; yes on

Utility tax not spent for frills?

In the Jan. 16 Acorn, our mayor listed examples as to how our tax dollars are spent, like for fire and police protection, etc. I have no problem with most of the items listed. But how about that little palace of a new city hall now in the planning stages? Do we really need that? What is wrong with the current city hall?

If we need a theater or an auditorium, why don’t we use existing facilities like the community center? Do we need that much staff? Like any other government agency, this one could use some cutting back.

In spite of all that manpower, the city still spends a lot for consulting. Just one good example: about $20,000 for a consultant to study the feasibility of the "dark sky ordinance."

We are part of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. Even if we would turn all lights off completely, that dark sky will be elusive. I am sure there are many more of those bright ideas.

Not mentioned at all were the attorney fees for fighting the Ahmanson project––over $1 million by now.

Maybe all those legal fees for past and future litigation could have been better used as a little down payment for purchase of that land for a state or federal park, which we all would prefer. But since there will be no funds whatsoever on the state or federal level for some time to come, maybe we should consider working with the developer to minimize the impact, as one councilmember once suggested some time ago.

What is most amusing is the demand for a new traffic study. Of course, traffic got a lot worse on the 101 over the last 10 years.

I wonder what caused that. How many new housing units were approved and built by the cities of Calabasas and Agoura Hills and by Los Angeles County over the last 10 years?

Apparently, Calabasas is right now approving a 550-unit gated community in Calabasas. Is there no impact on traffic?

It is safe to assume the people moving in there will not commute by bicycle. Let’s remember some old sayings: what is good for the goose is good for the gander and don’t throw stones if you live in a glass house.

The city has to become a bit more frugal when it comes to spending our tax dollars.

At election time, I’ll vote for repeal of the utility tax.

Bruno Schmidt

Calabasas