Ashamed of

Calabasas planning commissioners

I have watched the recent city council meetings on CTV and believe that Councilman Groveman’s "New Initiatives" have already had a positive impact.

Obvious changes include more decorum, shorter and more efficient meetings, numerous 5-0 votes and the settling of the joint-use agreement with the new middle school. We have a sharp new Ahmanson legal team and a more proactive, in-touch council in regards to city billing practices and project oversight.

Unfortunately, the planning commission meetings have not gone through the same positive metamorphosis. Commission vacating and reapplication is done frequently when newly elected officials take office. The process allows for the best and most qualified to prevail, rather than the appointment of friends and acquaintances by "quasi-secret" ballot. Now, qualified applicants will be evaluated and selected in an open and professional manner.

Let’s not forget that the "New Initiatives" were voted in by a 3-2 vote. That’s democracy and it works. The behavior by two of the current planning commissioners at last week’s meeting was very inappropriate and is exactly why the commissions are getting an overhaul. To use a government television station to air personal grudges and attack our elected officials is precisely why the commissioners must be reevaluated by the current and entire council.

Those commissioners rushed through the meeting agenda, pulled a political stunt and proceeded to give iron-fisted, power-grabbing speeches expressing how they are entitled to continue on the commission. It was thoroughly outrageous and unacceptable and should never be tolerated by the public again.

Since the March election, with the addition of one new councilmember, the entire chemistry of the council has changed. Progress is being made in Calabasas and everyone is noticing it. The positive and dramatic ripple effect it’s causing must continue.

Darcy Silver

Calabasas