Last weekend I received a phone call from a research company requesting my participation in a “focus group specifically for residents of Moorpark.” When I asked the topic, I was told that the research company did not know, but it must be “something important going on in Moorpark.” I would be compensated $75 for my participation at a hotel in Simi where the event would take place. I agreed and rearranged my schedule to accommodate the study for that Tuesday at 6 p.m.

On Monday I was contacted and told that the meeting was cancelled and I need not attend. The representative stated that this was the second time that their client had cancelled the study group. On Tuesday I called the research company back to verify the cancellation and was assured that both the 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. sessions were cancelled.

I had suspected that the focus group was organized by North Park Village, a huge proposed housing development to which I have been vocally opposed. Hearing from other residents in my neighborhood that they were still attending, I went to the hotel and found that the groups were indeed taking place as scheduled.

Upon returning home, I called the research company again. I was put on hold briefly, and then the company back-pedaled, explaining that “the client decided to reduce the number of respondents” and some people were contacted and told that their participation would not be necessary. I reminded the representative that twice I was told that the sessions were cancelled, no explanation or legitimate reason was given. I was simply lied to.

I later verified with my neighbors that the focus group was in fact organized by North Park. I was not surprised by this series of events, as it was just another illustration of the developer’s lack of credibility. What else is North Park lying about? Is this what Moorpark can expect from the companies that North Park hires to conduct its business and build its houses? Suzanne Wilson Moorpark