By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

Agoura may have been a small community 30 years ago, but there was no shortage of happenings here in 1974. Political, business and traffic concerns made the news, according to articles in the paper back then.

The area’s congressional representative, Barry Goldwater (son of the more well-known U. S. Sen. Barry Goldwater [R-Ariz.], who ran for president in 1964) spoke out in the House against the admittance of the Palestinian Liberation Organization to the United Nations.

"By permitting and encouraging the participation of the PLO, the U.N. has revealed itself to be dedicated to the playing of seedy world politics. It has thrust aside the honorable pursuit of world peace."

A separate item credited Goldwater with co-authoring a privacy bill in the House to limit the use of Social Security numbers. Today this issue continues to be relevant, especially in regard to identity theft concerns.

The Agoura Chamber of Commerce elected new Chamber officers, including Mel Adams, co-owner of Agoura Equipment Rentals; Bill Poremba, who became editor of this newspaper; Bud McIntyre; Ann Withers; and Jean Williams. A photo shows Arthur Wright, a Chamber founder, congratulating Adams. Wright was vice president of the first Chamber in Agoura, founded in 1929 under the name "The Picture City Chamber of Commerce," which first met in a garage.

Traffic on Lake Lindero Drive was a problem in 1974. An ordinance was adopted by the 5th district Board of Supervisors prohibiting parking on both sides of Lake Lindero, from Passageway Place to Canwood Street.

Although their weekly meetings were usually held at the Saddle Peak Lodge restaurant, at the invitation of local movie star Deborah Walley, the local Kiwanis Club met this week in 1974 to view the new motion picture "Benji."

Later in December in honor of the holiday season, the bell tower high above Whizin’s Market played a variety of tunes, including "Jingle Bells," "Joy to the World" and "Jerusalem of Gold." According to an article in The Acorn on Dec. 12, 1974, the chimes could be heard as far as Oak Park, where residents "set their clocks by the gongs and in the morning practically push the kids out the door to catch their buses for school on the first ringing of the day at 8 a.m."

Installed in 1972, the clock tower and bells brought a taste of England to Agoura. They were designed to resemble Westminster Abbey’s tower and bells in London.

"We wanted a big clock that could be seen from the highway," Moran said.

Thirty years later, the bells continue to chime. They’re currently being repaired but will be ready to ring for the holidays six times a day between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., according to Vance Moran, owner of Whizin’s Center.

In other news that week, The Acorn listed separate "Good News" and "Bad News" columns. The good news was that Stan Sheldone and Donn Singleton, co-owners of Triangle Printing, were demolishing an old house on South Agoura Road to make way for a new 5,500-square-foot office building. It would house their typeset and graphic business, printing plant and commercial recording studio. The bad news was that a fatal head-on collision on Agoura Road killed a Thousand Oaks man.

Also that week, the Agoura postmaster, Ray N. Marcouiller, made several announcements. The 17 employees of the Agoura Post Office would handle all holiday mail without the assistance of any temporary employees and with no Saturday, Sunday or special deliveries. In addition, a new mail delivery route was established that week covering Conejo View Drive and Fountainwood.

The Acorn will be taking a look back at our first year’s issues over the next 12 months, giving a historical perspective on "30 Years Ago in The Acorn." If you have memories to share from that time period, please send your submission to Sophia Fischer at sfischer2@yahoo.com or fax it to (818) 706-8942.