Guest opinion
Thoughts on the eminent domain topic
By Mark Van Dam Moorpark City Council member

What happened during the City Council meeting on Wed., Sept. 19? Why did so many residents of the downtown area attend to rally against the use of eminent domain? Why was this such a heated topic?

In Moorpark, the misinformation and, at times, the fear mongering reared its ugly head. How sad it was to make so many hard working, caring, lawabiding citizens fearful of an issue that was not going to negatively affect them. Who was spewing the propaganda that raised such fear and why? Who did it serve in the big picture? Was it worth it?

We, the city of Moorpark, should have taken a much stronger stand against all of the rumors and speculation. We could have done a better job in keeping the residents informed as to what the truth was and is. I take responsibility for that.

The Project Area Commission spent countless hours researching, holding meetings and informing residents on this issue and, in the end, supported the proposed amendment that was before the council. But what went wrong?

While listening to the speakers during the council meeting, I heard numerous residents express their outrage, concern, fear and disbelief. I heard phrases such as: "Those people on the hill," and "the minority area has been singled out" as well as comparing the possible use of eminent domain to that of communist Cuba, and inferring that this issue was race motivated is insulting, disturbing and hateful. It is this attitude that will keep Moorpark a city that is united only by its city boundaries and nothing else.

Moorpark should not be a divided community! Those who continually perpetuated the lies and hate about the city reacquiring the use of eminent domain to take homes is saddening and far from the truth. The "instigators" of this movement should examine the negative impact they have had on every resident of Moorpark, especially those who live in the downtown neighborhoods.

I am very pleased to see such a strong showing of support at the council meeting, but being rallied to fight against this particular issue, based on misconceptions and mistruths, is very sad. Shame on those individuals who worked up so many fine people into such an emotional frenzy.

Where are those same individuals when the downtown areas are being plagued with graffiti? Where are they when far too many homes are in disrepair? Why aren't they rallying the residents of downtown to take a stand against the gangs, crime, truancy and blight in various parts of the city?

If they spent just a fraction of the time they spent instilling fear and uncertainty, and focused their efforts on educating and informing people on how to make their neighborhoods a better place to live, all of Moorpark would benefit.

We are lucky that, even though we do face these issues, however minor they may be, Moorpark continues to be one of the safest cities in Ventura County and one of the most desirable places to live in the country.

One speaker at the meeting said, "Moorpark is our town, not a separate town." Another conveyed, "We should act like a family, not a feuding people." I agree.

So for those "concerned citizens" who rallied hundreds of people to this meeting to fight against the use of eminent domain, which was never going to be used to kick people out of their homes, I challenge you to take your passion, your drive and your concern and focus it on turning neighborhoods that have been overcome by graffiti, gang activity and substandard homes into beautiful, prosperous, desirable neighborhoods.

I am always available to help you make Moorpark an even better place to live. I look forward to hearing from you with your plan of action. My e-mail is: mvandam@ci.moorpark.ca.us.

Pulling weeds: Free. A gallon of paint: $12. Fixing a broken window: $45. Making Moorpark the best place to live for all residents: Priceless.