"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." I remember my father telling me that over and over as a child. Far too many issues and concerns regarding our community have been discussed in the press rather than by the individuals who are responsible or by those who have the ability to make change.

Over the past few months, several articles about our city and our school district, our relationship and interaction, and at times the lack of cooperation have been featured in the Moorpark Acorn. In 2006, when I was first elected to the Moorpark City Council, one of my main goals was to increase the communication and cooperation between the city and school district. While I believe we have made substantial positive progress, there still remains work to be done.

I have had the opportunity to speak with a variety of concerned individuals within our city, including longtime residents, parents, city and school staff, business owners, and city council and school board members. Almost all of these conversations have been positive, but there continues to be a clear desire to hold onto past disagreements, including those involving people no longer in our community. This past keeps us from moving forward.

The city and school district will never completely agree on everything. That would be unrealistic. It is okay to disagree. However, Moorpark is small enough where both of us can plan and converse constructively about our goals and objectives. The city and school district should be a close partnership where collaboration is evident and a high level of trust is present.

We both face tough issues, such as declining enrollment, budget shortfalls, slowing of residential and commercial development, transportation challenges and more. There must be a clear understanding, from the electeds to the respective staffs, that we will work together. The "titfortat" and "better to ask forgiveness rather than permission" attitudes must cease.

While our relationship is amicable and cordial, there must be a deliberate effort on everyone's part to take the next step in unifying these two organizations. I don't want to hear that the school district feels as though they have paid excessive fees or is being requested to perform unnecessary construction or have not received approved plans in a timely manner. I also do not want to hear that the city feels slighted after work was completed without proper permits or requests are being ignored or rules are being skirted. I do not want to hear, "There they go again" from either side. It is counter-productive.

Councilmember Millhouse and I have had excellent discussions with school board members David Pollock and Greg Barker in our ad hoc committee meetings. We all agree that we have to let the past go, move forward, start trusting each other and expect that both organizations will work diligently at doing the right thing. All we need is a clear change in attitude and higher expectations. It can be done, but not overnight. Where there is a will, there is a way.

While The Moorpark Acorn, in my opinion, has always been relatively fair and factual, many comments, including those attributed to me, have been at times taken out of context or misinterpreted. I admit I have made comments that may not have benefited our relationship. I will always answer the tough questions, but I will also do my best, from now on, to make sure what I am saying can not be misconstrued or twisted in a negative light.

Now is the time for action. Now is the time for change. It must begin now.

Our parents told us time and time again when we were young, "It's not what you say, it's how you say it." Maybe they did know what they were talking about.

I appreciate all comments and suggestions at mvandam @ci.moorpark.ca.us.