Proposed Dam at Lang Ranch

* Re “If Plant Halts a Dam, Can It Stop Flood Too?” (Ventura County Perspective, March 5).

I am a 17-year-old junior at Westlake High School. I could not help but respond to the outrageous view expressed in this article.

I am in advanced placement environmental science, and have somewhat of a background on our community’s natural habitat (or what is left of it). Beverly Kelley’s article struck a deeply bitter rage in me due to its utter ignorance and lack of compassion for our city.

I was extremely offended by Kelley’s attacks on Councilwoman Linda Parks, the only council member who seems to have any concern at all for our city’s wildlife. Kelley states, “Perhaps someone should tell her that persistence in one’s opinion, at least according to Cicero, is no virtue in politicians.” I am sorry, but how on earth can that be justified? If no one persisted in what they believed in, what kind of world would we live in?

Kelley gives the impression that the housing development in the area is quite small compared to what it was envisioned to be a few decades ago. Have you ever taken a look at the Lang Ranch basin? House upon house is stacked one right on top of the other, with barely any yards. Every day more and more houses and apartments are being constructed on what was once valued natural land. The Chumash center, which once rested alone amid a valley of oaks and meadows, is now shamefully hidden between outlandish strips of modern homes that clash with the natural surroundings.

How could the city be so irresponsible as to allow such grand-scale construction to take place that now there is an apparent need to prevent flooding to lowlands? I am mightily disappointed at this decision and the effect it will have on the community.

How can a person support a project that would wipe out oak trees and local natural habitat, in a city whose very name is derived from those trees, and still retain a pure conscience?

KRISTEN CHERI WEISS

Thousand Oaks