Stone should be kept on the job

Stone should be kept on the job

regarding litigation vs. Ahmanson

We wish to thank Calabasas city councilmembers Dennis Washburn and James Bozajian for voting no on the hasty and premature move to oust their superb attorney, Katherine Stone.

Why is the "new" Calabasas city council majority making such a foolhardy and dangerous move to replace special counsel Stone? Stone has been involved in opposing the Ahmanson Ranch development that will devastate the community of Calabasas. If built as proposed, this new city will add 800 new tons of smog every year and further degrade our commutes.

Stone is a talented attorney and leader. Losing her historical perspective and knowledge will hurt the Ahmanson Ranch litigation. This important litigation is about doing the required studies needed to protect Calabasas residents’ health from 23,000 tons of radioactive dust (per EPA standards) that is planned to be released from the massive grading of Ahmanson Ranch. This critical litigation is about doing a required up-to-date traffic study to protect our commutes.

Thousand Oaks attorney Ed Masry said to me it could cost up to $100,000 if a new attorney has to review and attempt to come up to speed on the immense Ahmanson Ranch record.

This new city council majority is not being fair. They should have listened to councilmembers Washburn and Bozajian. Why didn’t they let Stone explain her fees and the costs of the private consultants wisely put under her contract by the old city council?

Save Open Space supports Katherine Stone. We believe that she is the most qualified attorney to defend Calabasas residents against Ahmanson Ranch.

Mary E. Wiesbrock

Save Open Space

Agoura Hills