Voters have decision to make

Without going out on a limb, the Simi Valley Acorn predicts 2008 will be a big year for this city.

With major issues dotting the landscape that could affect the city for decades to come, residents will again be entrusted with selecting who will lead our growing valley toward a bright future- and guide it through the state's impending budget crisis.

The mayor's seat and two City Council positions (Sojka and Williamson) are up for election, as are important seats on the state Senate and Assembly. And local voters don't have to turn to Hillary or Barack, Mitt or Rudy if they want to hear some spirited debate- there's a plethora of issues ripe for the picking right here in Simi Valley.

Expect much of the debate to revolve around Waste Management's plans to double the size of the landfill and how the finalized deal with the county will impact Simi residents.

Taxpayers deserve to be reimbursed fairly for the effect the additional truck loads will have on city roads, as well as for the burden of having to house the landfill in the backyard, and voters need candidates who can get county commissioners to feel the same way.

The ongoing update to the General Plan is another major issue for '08. We live in a growing city and many people are concerned about how further development and expansion will affect Simi's ability to maintain the small-town feel so many residents hold dear, and keep the crime rate low.

The recently revealed update, which will guide city planners for the next 25 years, offers a vision fitting residents' desires for Simi Valley to grow into a self-reliant city where people of all incomes can afford to safely live, work and raise a family- but who will make sure the city's staff holds true to that vision?

Changes to the present General Plan, adopted in 1988, are not uncommon, so the city needs leaders who know when the time is right to deviate, and when they should stick to their guns.

And those are just two issues. We shouldn't forget the ongoing saga of the Rocketdyne cleanup, the debate over Runkle Canyon, the housing crisis, homelessness, gang violence, and a governor who may be looking to raid city coffers.

So if you keep one New Year's resolution, let it be: "Get involved in local politics." Because there's no better, or more critical, time than now.