Officials meet with Home Acres residents
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers STRAIGHT TALK- Ventura County Fire Chief Bob Roper discusses fire safety with Home Acres residents during an informal meeting organized by Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy last week. Foy had nvited county department officials and law enforcement representatives to answer questions.

The informal meeting between Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy and Moorpark's Home Acres residents in the buffer zone on Dalaway Drive last week enabled constituents to quiz county and law enforcement leaders on the spot.

"Our goal is to represent all of you," said Foy to a group of about 40 people, who sat in a circle of lawn chairs around the supervisor while department heads stood in a line nearby, ready to answer questions.

"I can't solve the problems, but these people can," said Foy, adding that he tries to be a conduit between residents and the people who can produce results. "Part of my goal is not to just sit there and pass on responsibilities," he said.

Foy already organized similar gatherings with residents in Somis and the Knolls in Simi Valley to dispel rumors and keep constituents informed. While some of their concerns could not be immediately addressed, many Home Acre residents said they were pleased with the effort.

SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers SEEKING ANSWERS- Home Acres resident Helen Delacerda talk with county leaders and law enforcement officials during a gathering between officials and residents.

"I was very impressed when he (Foy) came out and . . . brought along the experts," said resident Helen Delacerda, indicating her neighborhood has unique issues that have existed for years.

The region is growing and traffic is getting worse, so residents need a proactive leader, she said. "Foy's predecessor didn't even come out and talk to us. We always felt we were a stepchild of the city," said Delacerda.

Traffic issues

Residents first shared their concerns about road safety issues at the intersection of Highway 118 and Hitch Boulevard.

They suggested that the intersection should be realigned with Grimes Canyon Road to prevent accidents such as the one that took the lives of seven people in 2005.

But there are legal constraints, officials said. A feasibility report showed that the realignment project would cost $1 million to $1.5 million, said Butch Britt, transportation director for Ventura County.

That project is also tied to the potential widening of the 118, which can't be done until an environmental impact report required by the Save Our Somis lawsuit is completed, Britt said, adding, "The lawsuit has caused a lot of headaches."

The EIR will cost at least $4 million, but the county will continue to pursue all options, he said.

In the meantime, officials established a taskforce to increase safety on the rural highway. The California Highway Patrol has increased enforcement, and since more officers are patrolling the road there have been fewer accidents, said Cliff Williams, captain for the Moorpark CHP office.

Although residents expressed concerns about speeding and road conditions on Hitch Boulevard, Williams pointed out that six speeding tickets issued on that road on June 20 were given to local residents.

Officials also said residents can have speed bumps installed if they want, but they will have to pay for the initial costs.

Residents expressed concern about increased truck traffic and the impacts of a new water tank project slated to replace an older reservoir in Home Acres. Satya Karra, operations manager for the County Water and Sanitation Department, informed them that the project will take about 18 months to complete and it will improve water pressure in the neighborhood, but truck traffic cannot be avoided.

Fire Chief Bob Roper was also present to answer concerns about weed abatement and discuss fire hazards, which are numerous given the dry weather.

The buffer zone

The buffer zone also became a topic of discussion as residents sat on the neatly manicured lawn that belongs to the city of Moorpark.

The little park is situated between some tract homes within city limits and the rural Home Acres neighborhood to the west. The park has two pedestrian gates which are closed at night and two larger gates to allow vehicles through in the event of emergencies. The Moorpark city manager holds the key to the gates.

As the meeting was taking place, a car pulled up to the fence. A mother got out to walk her two children across the buffer zone to the Moorpark gate. She then returned to her vehicle on the Home Acres' side and left, waving goodbye to her offspring as they walked off into the city. "The buffer zone has always been a thorn and a hotbed for controversy," said Delacerda.

While the larger gates are for emergency use only, the pedestrian gates are monitored by the city as well. They are locked every night at 10 p.m. and opened again in the morning at 6 a.m. The informal meeting didn't include any Moorpark representatives, but in an interview, city officials said the same rules apply at all city parks.

"We lock all the parks secured by fencing at night because public property is susceptible to damage from vandals," said Hugh Riley, assistant city manager for Moorpark.

Despite the odd arrangement, the buffer zone seemed a perfect place for the gathering with Foy, who said he plans to meet with residents in the same way on a yearly basis.

The supervisor also said he wants to work in partnership with Moorpark and Simi Valley city officials. He hopes to arrange a joint public meeting so that county and city leaders can discuss common concerns openly with residents.