Calabasas 'stepchild' speaks out

In spite of The Acorn's apparent distortion of Calabasas election results, in which the reporter attempted to indicate a 70 percent approval rating for the incumbents by summing their results (which is actually just adding the same person more than once), the actual numbers speak of a city divided.

Incumbents are usually strongly favored to win an election, yet in Precincts 7 and 10, which comprise the vast majority of the west side of Calabasas, voters chose Keeler and Washburn, not Groveman and Washburn. Even in Groveman's own precinct, which represents the rural communities, he only beat Keeler by seven votes. That is not exactly a "mandate" as Groveman claimed in his postelection speech.

The number of voters subscribing to Keeler's platform unfortunately demonstrates that west side residents and half of the rural communities feel disenfranchised, underrepresented on city commissions and committees, and clearly threatened by overdevelopment.

I would like to extend an invitation to the City Council members to spend some time on the west side of town getting to know the issues and concerns of residents- and then responding to them.

Our City Council members are talented and dedicated people, but west side and rural community residents would like to feel that those skills are working for them, not against them, by looking for ways to maximize our treasured open spaces rather than looking for ways to maximize development and then moving the revenue to the east side as is the current perception.

West side Calabasas residents jokingly refer to themselves as the "stepchild" of Calabasas in an attempt to make light of the situation, but the election results show it isn't a laughing matter. Yes, it is possible to completely ignore their concerns and still be elected by east side supporters. Though it may be politically effective, is it good leadership?

The incumbents, typically winners in local election as statistics demonstrate, prevailed, and I congratulate both of them. Please set the record straight: Mr. Keeler prevailed on the west side of Calabasas. If I'm incorrect in that conclusion, please provide me with facts to the contrary. Donn Burkholder Calabasas