Don’t dismiss NIMBYism




The use of political acronyms has become quite fashionable of late and, as with most popular trends, misleading.

“ NIMBY” comes to mind as an excellent example, and unfortunately one upon which your editorial page was based last week, even to the extent of your accompanying cartoon. To paint those against the proposed Target development as “Not In My Back Yard” Luddites is to conveniently dismiss reality.

At the Renaissance development, those residents now have the Albertsons center in their back yard and the Costco immediately adjacent. Each one of those developments has either increased, or promises to do so, the traffic, noise and pollution to be found in the respective area.

Having become acquainted with several of the residents of Renaissance, I can attest that they not only thought they were buying into a neighborhood that would not be commercialized around them, they actually took the time to read the city’s master plan to make certain such was the case. Now some wish to change the game, and others throw insults at those who will feel the most impact.

I strongly suspect that the latter either do not live in Westlake Village, or reside south of the 101, thereby being able to comfortably support something that will not impact upon their quiet, convenience-filled lives.

John B. Mullin
Westlake Village



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