Incumbent to keep people informed

By Michael Picarella Acorn Staff Writer

City Councilwoman Janice Lee

Calabasas City Councilwoman Janice Lee, 51, said she’s proven in the past—as councilwoman, mayor and community activist—that she can deliver the truth to the citizens. If reelected on Tues., March 4, Lee said she’d continue to keep residents informed.

Calabasas voters will elect two councilmembers. Six candidates, including incumbents Lee and Dennis Washburn, are running.

"I think we need to have an experienced member on the council who has an understanding of what challenges we’re going to have ahead and who has been involved with bringing solutions to the table," Lee said.

If elected, Lee said she’d be first to ensure the city is financially secure.

"We’re facing state deficits that are historic," the former mayor said. "I think I brought to the council the voice of fiscal conservatism . . . When the budget for the proposed new civic center got out of hand and it was approaching $25 million, I fought hard for the council to address the excessive costs and I initiated dialogue on what I felt our city could better afford.

"In addition, I helped to bring the revenue to the city to replace what we had lost in subventions as a result of our 2000 census," Lee said. She provided help in creating the Albertson’s shopping center, the Hilton Garden Inn and the BMW dealership, which now provide the city with revenue.

Lee wants to make sure the battle against Ahmanson Ranch continues. She said she’s positive that the 3,050-home development north of Calabasas in Ventura County will be defeated. But the fight must go on, she said. Lee added that she’s been an instrumental force in delaying the project thus far.

As a member of the city council, Lee said she wants to ensure that the public knows the truth. "To date, that’s what I’ve done," she said.

The Calabasas Landfill, she said, has accepted large amounts of toxic waste. Lee added that she was a key force in keeping the people informed.

The landfill should be monitored for contamination, Lee said. And she wants to make sure contaminated groundwater is cleaned up and stays clean.

Regarding Measure A, which calls for a repeal of the 5 percent utility user tax that the city collects on telephone, gas and electric bills, Lee is strongly against it. It’s been proposed at the worst possible time, she said. With California’s deficit, the state is being forced, she said, to make severe budget cutbacks that will affect Calabasas.

Lee said applying for a state library grant for the civic center/ library project is going to be more competitive now that the state has less money. That’s a concern, Lee said, adding that she wants to address it.

Lee said she’s a hard worker. She’s spent four years of 70-hour work weeks devoted to city council business, she said. She’s made herself available to residents, she said, to serve their needs.

The councilwoman has lived in Calabasas since 1986 and has been an activist since 1992.

She admitted that the councilmembers argue during meetings, but that’s because, she said, they’re passionate about the city’s business. Calabasas has accomplished a lot––despite the rhetoric, Lee said.

Lee was the center of controversy in July 2001 when she abruptly resigned as mayor during a council meeting because she was fed up with constant turmoil on the dais.

Several weeks later, she asked to return to office. The council granted her request.