‘Head in sand’ politicians

Yet again, the Agoura Hills City Council has squandered an opportunity to show leadership and vision. At their most recent meeting, as usual, they kowtowed to Old Agoura’s inflammatory opposition to Heschel West’s proposal to build a permanent site for its school with a 4-0 vote. They even professed to “be doing Heschel West a favor” by their opposition.

Despite his call for more discussion, it was crystal clear from Mayor Ed Corridori’s words that the council is unwilling to play any constructive role in resolving this important community issue.

The council members were generous with their criticism of everyone else. They attacked the county of Los Angeles for its supposed “lack of consultation.” They attacked Calabasas and Hidden Hills for lending support to the project. They attacked Heschel West for daring to try to build a school on land it owns, just because it’s near Old Agoura.

But what does this council have to offer? Nothing.

They didn’t like Heschel West’s three alternatives for an entrance but offered no proposal of their own. They expressed fear about evacuation plans in case of fire, yet do not have any plan if a fire were to occur today. They professed concern about Heschel West’s proximity to the Calabasas landfill (oh brother, let’s hear more from Mary Wiesbrock) but have done nothing for the Old Agoura residents who live much closer to the landfill and are directly downhill from it.

This is yet another example of the “head in the sand” mentality of our tenured elected officials. Too bad we don’t have term limits. Unlike our neighboring cities east and west, our city lacks the leadership necessary to build quality institutions, a strong tax base and a view of community that is not subservient to the desire of one specially entitled neighborhood.

It’s time for a change at city hall. Warren and Lee Bell Agoura Hills