Don't let a few unhappy apples spoil the bunch

Anyone who's ever uttered the phrase, "But there's nothing to do in Simi Valley!" need look no further than this week's public hearing on the improvements proposed for Sinaloa Golf Course to see a primary reason why the community has an entertainment shortage.

In what was only a prescreening of the development proposal- the first step in the long and arduous road toward approval- neighbors of the Madera Road golf course showed up in force to show their displeasure at the park district's plans to expand the course into a fullon recreational facility, complete with an 18-hole miniature golf course, water park, snack bar and arcade.

Resident after resident (11 in all) bombarded the council with the famous NIMBY battle cries of traffic jams, loss of open space and outofcontrol teens; 21 more turned in cards opposing the proposal. And all of this before the district has even had the opportunity to consult the neighbors about their concerns.

The park district's plans for Sinaloa Golf Course are unquestionably bold- but maybe that's just what Simi Valley needs. What it doesn't need is a bunch of homeowners perennially displeased over anything that might just be entertaining enough to draw a crowd.

Like it or not, Simi's young people want more to do; if you don't know that, just ask them. Yet the way the residents spoke during Monday's public hearing, you'd wonder if they knew the city was home to anyone under the age of 18.

There's nothing wrong with opposing a development in your neighborhood. But there is something wrong with trying to get a project voted down before you've even had a chance to speak with the developer.

Kudos to council members Sojka, Becerra and Williamson for standing behind the park district on this one.

The ambitious plan for Sinaloa Golf Course looks like a good step toward fixing Simi's entertainment shortage. Let's give it a chance.