Politics in Thousand Oaks

* Re “Parks, Masry Irk Rivals by Locking Up Mailer Slots,” Oct. 2.

It appears that opponents of Linda Parks and Ed Masry in the Thousand Oaks City Council election have limited knowledge of capitalism or political issues.

Slate publishers are capitalists whose goal is to make money. Based on this article, it appears that candidates Chris Buckett, Jim Bruno and Mike Markey expect slate publishers to wait around to see if these candidates want to buy slate space.

I am concerned that the above candidates are so worried about themselves and their jockeying for position that they disregard the fact that Thousand Oaks voters want to learn about issues.

Traffic, poorly maintained roads, housing costs, child care, salaries and perks for city employees and elected officials, courtesy to citizens who speak at council and planning commission meetings--these are just a few things I care about.

BARBARA A. WARKENTIEN

Thousand Oaks

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I am hopeful that all voters will ask for examples of the various candidates’ capacity to perform the job before giving their vote.

Thousand Oaks, a city of more than 40,000 homes, is diverse, and the City Council must represent that diversity.

The primary requirement of each council member is to be able to work with others to ensure that every decision is beneficial to the majority of the citizens. I do not suggest that all decisions should be unanimous, but each member must be trusted by the others to be working for the citizens’ interests.

Past councils were able to create the many benefits we enjoy because the minorities influenced the majority in positive ways.

Every voter should ask the two incumbents what ideas they brought to the council that were accepted and passed by a majority vote. This is a test of performance for an incumbent. Promises for the future are worthless unless an incumbent’s past proves ability to work with other members.

Challengers should be held to the same performance standard: What has the challenger done to demonstrate ability to work with others to create actions that benefited a majority?

In the absence of this simple ability to work with others, the individual should not get the vote.

JEFF ALEXANDER

Thousand Oaks