What new council member can learn

I found it perplexing that on the same page that the article of the eminent domain vote was reported (Moorpark Acorn Sept. 21), there was an article describing Councilmember Van Dam's first year on the City Council and all that he has learned.

What Councilmember Van Dam obviously needs to learn more about is tact when dealing with the public he was sworn to serve. I am almost positive that he has no idea of how condescending he sounded during his closing statement to the community that stood before him on Sept. 19's City Council meeting.

He appeared to imply that Moorpark's problem of graffiti was the direct result of downtown residents' "not watching" their children closer. Is he not aware of the fact that the majority of tagging here in Moorpark is being done by youth from other cities? I tried as hard as I could to connect the problem of graffiti to his impending vote on eminent domain. Did he mean to imply that voting for the right to take away small businesses and commercial buildings would somehow help solve our graffiti problem?

Another statement that hit home was his statement that "we" shouldn't be content with living in substandard housing.

Although we acknowledge that everyone works hard for what they have, for many in the downtown area their "hard work" gets them less money to live in the same standard as others.

We value our standard of living whether or not that "standard" fits Councilmember Van Dam's definition of substandard housing or not. Those values include the freedom to choose to not have homeowners association fees with tight restrictions. We value having low property taxes and have homes that have little to no mortgage payments.

We choose to live in neighborhoods where we are surrounded by its history and are constantly reminded of the wonderful memories they provide. We love the eclectic variety of homes from the very old to the very new. Councilmember Van Dam wants us to "want more"?

Even Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz" wanted only to return to her substandard farm home after having the opportunity to live in the Emerald City.

I'll grant that we have some neighbors who could use a paint job, clean up their yard or help in towing away an old vehicle; however, what they need is a little assistance, not a bulldozer.

Mr. Van Dam, even though tact and community sensitivity is something you can improve upon, the fact that you voted for the defeat of eminent domain in Moorpark was bold. It proved to me, in particular, that regardless of the limited perception you may have appeared to have represented, in the end you did the right thing for the entire community- you listened. You are learning.

Welcome to our beautiful and diverse community of Moorpark. Pamela Castro Moorpark