Carol will fight for the village

Two seats are open on the Westlake Village City Council, giving residents the chance to inject vitally needed new blood into what seems to have become an entrenched group that is pro-development, any development, at any cost, whether it fits with the needs and desires of the majority of village residents or complies with the city's general or special plans.

Rolling hills and native flora and fauna are replaced with vast stretches of asphalt and concrete, towering block walls and more and more traffic, as the general and special plans are ignored and amended. Goodbye, village; hello, Valley-light.

Based on what I heard at the Westlake Joint Board forum, what I know about Carol Kirschbaum's campaign positions and her past history in fighting for our village, I am certain that electing Carol Kirschbaum to the City Council will provide much-needed balance and add skills the council will be missing with the loss of Jim Bruno, such as the ability to listen to residents with an open mind and respect, and the desire to give as much information to the public on the issues as possible, so that informed residents can be active participants in the future of their community.

Last night Carol Kirschbaum proved to be someone who has given a great deal of thought to how she would like to improve the city's development process.

Her background--both in working (in part), in negotiation and dispute resolution for an engineering and architectural design firm and in volunteering her time to serve on numerous community management associations, including her homeowner's board--points to someone who is uniquely qualified for a position on the City Council.

I look forward to the privilege of voting for Carol this November. Barbara Erickson Westlake Village